Leadwood Man Charged In High Speed Chase In Crawford County

A Leadwood man was arrested Sunday morning after a high-speed chase that ended at Bourbon City Hall.

James C. Ray, 43, faces 11 counts, including resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, failure to comply with an ignition interlock device, failure to register motor vehicle and no proof of insurance.

According to the probable cause statement, the pursuit began on Highway 19 near the Meramec River bridge in Steelville.

Ray sped past a sheriff’s deputy traveling 125 mph. 

Ray headed towards Cuba, where he passed two vehicles in no-passing zones. 

The vehicle accelerated past Cuba schools in excess of 110 mph, then hit 120 mph at the four-way intersection.

Ray continued, going eastbound on Interstate 44, reaching at least 130 mph. He exited at Leasburg and took Old Highway 66 into Bourbon. He sped past Bourbon High School traveling 100 mph. 

A Bourbon police officer deployed stop sticks and deflated the vehicle's tires, but it continued on. Ray drove 95 mph through the four-way intersection in Bourbon, then stopped at city hall. 

He put his hands in the air to surrender at 8:15 a.m.

Ray has previous convictions for driving while suspended, distribution/delivery of a controlled substance first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and armed criminal actions.