High-speed chase on Christmas Eve leads to arrest, drug bust in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A high-speed chase on Christmas Eve led to the arrest of a 29-year-old man and the recovery of several drugs, according to Metro police. 

The incident took place just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24 in the 200 block of West Trinity Lane after officers who were patrolling the area observed a stolen blue Jeep Wrangler. 

According to an arrest affidavit, as officers waited for backup, they observed a man exit the Jeep to pump gas into the vehicle. 

After backup arrived, officers reported they blocked the Jeep, which caused the driver to ram into an officer’s patrol car while attempting to flee the scene. 

Authorities reported the driver of the Jeep — identified as 29-year-old Terrance Hayes Jr. — was able to escape the blockade and took off on West Trinity Lane at a high rate of speed. 

That’s when officers initiated a pursuit on the roadway with lights and emergency equipment activated. 

An arrest report states Hayes lost control of the Jeep at the intersection of Old Matthews Road and struck another vehicle. 

The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken to Skyline Medical Center for treatment, according to Metro police. 

In a report, an officer said the Jeep came to a final stop in front of Haynes Middle School. The officer said they pulled out their weapon and instructed Hayes to get out of the vehicle. 

After determining that Hayes would not get out on his own, the officer opened the Jeep’s door and was able to pull Hayes to the ground. 

According to an arrest report, Hayes actively resisted arrest and grabbed the officer’s genitals, which allegedly caused the officer to hit Hayes multiple times until he complied, was placed on his stomach and arrested. 

Outside the vehicle, law enforcement discovered a satchel containing 4.8 grams of fentanyl, 2.5 grams of cocaine, 1.3 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale. 

Metro police said they also found 18.8 grams of marijuana in a safe under the driver’s seat, along with 26 THC pills and a loaded handgun on the passenger seat. 

Multiple empty alcoholic beverage cans were also found in the passenger’s side compartment. Officers at the scene reported that Hayes appeared to “be in a dazed state and had incoherent speech.” 

Based on his driving behavior, physical indicators of impairment and the number of narcotics inside the vehicle, officers determined that Hayes was impaired during the incident. 

Further investigation revealed that Hayes had a revoked Tennessee driver’s license, according to an arrest report. 

Hayes faces 20 charges including felony aggravated assault on a first responder, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and several drug charges.