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High Speed Chase Suspect Arrested & Charged

By Jessie Williams

A Lafayette man with an active warrant was arrested last week after taking officers on a high speed chase on Highway 52.

 

According to a report filed by Lafayette Police Department Patrolman Jason Sells, the officer was on patrol Thursday, March 28, when he clocked a van traveling at 55 MPH in a 40 MPH zone on Highway 52 Bypass W. 

Officer Sells stated he initiated a traffic stop by turning on his blue lights and siren, and the van began to accelerate at a high rate of speed. 

The van reportedly came close to hitting a vehicle in the opposite lane as it attempted to pass other drivers.

As Officer Sells attempted to make contact with the van, he was at speeds of 117 mph. 

Eventually the van pulled off onto the shoulder and slowed down at the intersection of Alton Hill Rd. and Hwy 52 W. 

Deputy Tim Freeman of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department was located directly in front of the spot the van stopped. 

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 29-year-old Ross Mason Traughber, who was taken into custody. 

Traughber stated he was running from law enforcement because he had an active warrant, which was confirmed by Officer Sells.

Traughber’s girlfriend was a passenger in the vehicle. She stated she was terrified and was screaming and crying for her boyfriend to stop. 

An inventory of the vehicle led to the discovery of a marijuana grinder with residue, a scale with white residue on it and calibration weights, and three small, plastic baggies with a small amount of crystalized substance inside. 

Traughber admitted that all the paraphernalia was his, and the only reason he stopped was because of his girlfriend. 

Traughber was charged with speeding, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, evading arrest and violation of probation. 

His bond was set at $25,000, and he is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on May 8, 2019 and criminal court on June 3, 2019.