High Speed Chase Through Two Counties Ends in RBS

Michael Umberto Pineda

By Jessie Williams

Twenty-six-year-old Michael Umberto Pineda was arrested by Macon County law enforcement last week following a high speed pursuit that began in Trousdale County.

A report, filed by Trousdale County Sergeant Jesse Gentry, states that the officer was conducting stationary radar on River Rd. at the bridge facing north on Sunday, August 31, around 8:54 p.m., when a vehicle passed him going 75 mph in a 45 mph zone.

After catching up to the grey 2008 Saturn Aura, Officer Gentry made contact with the driver, a hispanic male who stated he did not have a driver’s license.

The officer reportedly then placed the unidentified man under arrest, double locking his handcuffs, and placing him in the back of his patrol car.

The man began complaining about one of the handcuffs being twisted and, while Sergeant Gentry attempted to adjust it, he was able to slip out of one handcuff and flee on foot.

The man, later identified as Mr. Pineda, still had one handcuff on his wrist as he was being chased by law enforcement.

Pineda ultimately made it back to his vehicle during the pursuit and fled the scene traveling north on River St.

Officer Gentry initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, while a second officer was standing by at the intersection of Church St. and River St.

During the pursuit, Pineda ran stop signs, traveled at a high rate of speed and passed other vehicles on a double yellow line.

As Pineda approached Highway 10, he slowed down and turned on Highway 10 towards Macon County, at which time dispatch notified Macon County law enforcement of the pursuit.

As the vehicle continued traveling north on Highway 10, Pineda reached speeds in excess of 100 mph and passed vehicles on a double yellow line.

A Macon County patrol car was set up to deploy spikes, but was unable to deploy them.

Upon reaching the double lane on Highway 10, Pineda almost hit a TWRA officer and another vehicle had to drive into oncoming traffic to avoid him.

Sergeant Gentry was able to catch up to the vehicle and attempted to go around him, however, Pineda veered towards at the patrol car almost hitting him.

The vehicle turned, traveling east on Highway 52 towards Red Boiling Springs at speeds over 120 mph, at which time Red Boiling Springs Police were notified and joined the pursuit. Once in RBS City limits, Pineda slammed on his brakes and turned on McClure St., where he lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve and wrecked.

Pineda then fled from the vehicle on foot. After a brief chase, he was located in a pasture and taken into custody after a taser deployment.

Pineda was checked out by Macon County EMS, and it was determined by police he did not have a driver’s license.

Pineda was detained and transported to the Macon County Jail where he was charged with evading arrest by motor vehicle, evading arrest by foot, reckless endangerment, driving without a license, resisting arrest, driving left of center, driver to exercise due care, failure to stop for sign/signal, speeding (2 counts), aggravated assault and failure to maintain lane.

His bond was set at $125,000, and he is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on November 5, 2025.