Warrants: Riders Topped 100 MPH During Pursuit

Three young motorcyclists allegedly turned a high-speed ride through White and DeKalb counties into a multi-agency pursuit Saturday night, with warrants stating speeds topped 100 miles per hour before the chase finally unraveled one rider at a time.

According to affidavits filed in White County General Sessions Court, a White County deputy was patrolling Old Kentucky Road North near the intersection of Petty Road on May 10 when he observed three motorcycles — all ridden by Cookeville men ages 20, 21 and 22 — traveling at approximately 100 mph. The deputy turned around on the motorcycles and activated emergency equipment, but the riders allegedly fled the area.

The warrants state the motorcycles were later spotted again near the intersection of Old Kentucky Road and Smithville Highway, passing Wilmar Market. DeKalb County authorities were notified and reportedly initiated a pursuit near Center Hill Marina before the motorcycles headed back toward White County.

One of the riders eventually stopped in DeKalb County and was identified as 22-year-old Tinsley James Boles Jr. According to the warrants, Boles was not taken into custody there. The two remaining motorcycles allegedly continued back toward White County.

While sitting at Peel Chestnut, the White County deputy reportedly observed a black motorcycle speeding past and pulled out to pursue it. During the chase, the deputy alleged the rider crossed into no-passing zones, forced other vehicles off the roadway and continued traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a 45 mph zone. The motorcycle later turned onto Bunker Hill Road toward Ditty Road, where deputies were finally able to close the distance as speeds slowed to around 60 mph.

According to the warrants, the motorcycle entered Putnam County at Ditty Road and slowed to approximately 30 mph before becoming blocked in. The rider was identified as 20-year-old Ezra Perez Booher. Authorities stated the motorcycle displayed no registration plate.

Booher allegedly told deputies he did not know who the other motorcyclists, although the warrants state DeKalb County deputies advised White County officers they would also be seeking charges against him. Authorities additionally alleged Booher did not possess a motorcycle endorsement and noted he was on probation in Putnam County.

After Booher was transported to the White County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Sparta Police Department reportedly located Boles at the Circle K gas station. According to the warrant, Boles admitted he had been involved in the original incident and acknowledged traveling into DeKalb County before returning to White County. Authorities also said Boles admitted to driving approximately 100 mph in a 45 mph speed zone.

The warrant states Boles then provided officers with information identifying 21-year-old Damon L. Edmonds as the third rider, including a phone number deputies could use to contact him. Authorities said Edmonds was later advised he could turn himself in at the White County Sheriff’s Office. Within approximately 10 minutes, Edmonds reportedly arrived at the sheriff’s office, where he also admitted to traveling around 100 mph in a 45 mph zone and confirmed he had fled from DeKalb County law enforcement.

Boles was charged with reckless driving and evading arrest.

Booher faces charges of evading arrest, two counts of reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving without a license and improper passing in a no-passing zone.

Edmonds was charged with reckless driving.