Kids getting off school bus nearly hit by driver leading pursuit in stolen vehicle, police say

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man accused of leading officers on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle and nearly hitting kids at a bus stop in East Nashville is now behind bars, officials said.

According to an arrest report, the incident occurred on Monday, April 29 after detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) spotted a stolen Kia Forte near Interstate Drive and Shelby Drive.

Detectives said they followed the Kia to Shelby Park and observed the driver — identified as 59-year-old Kenneth Wilson — exit the vehicle and walk toward the trunk.

That’s when the detectives reportedly moved in, turned on their emergency lights and sirens, and attempted to block the vehicle in.

However, instead of cooperating, Wilson allegedly got back into the Kia, put it in reverse, and struck a police vehicle. Then, officials said he drove forward and struck another police vehicle to get away.

Officials said the Kia made a brief stop and a female passenger got out. Once she was out, Wilson continued to drive through Shelby Park.

According to an arrest report, a MNPD helicopter followed the stolen vehicle overhead. Meanwhile, detectives on the ground deployed spike strips, which flattened most of the tires.

Court documents stated Wilson “continued to drive recklessly without regard to the public.” In fact, police said he drove into oncoming traffic, on public sidewalks and also drove around a school bus that was unloading several kids.

Authorities reported Wilson nearly hit four of the kids who were getting off the bus at the intersection of North 9th Street and Mansfield Street.

The stolen vehicle came to a stop in the 600 block of Main Street where detectives were then able arrest Wilson, officials said.

Inside the Kia, detectives said they found 3.5 grams of cocaine and a crack pipe. They also determined Wilson was driving on a revoked drivers license.

According to MNPD, the entire incident was captured on video.

Wilson faces a long list of charges including theft of a vehicle, three counts of reckless driving, evading arrest, possession of cocaine and aggravated assault on a first responder with a deadly weapon.

He remains jailed on a $80,500 bond.