Police searching for an armed robbery suspect found themselves instead in a pursuit with a local man who led them on a high-speed chase through rural Clark County.

According to court records released this week, 24-year-old Tyler Lane Sparks led police on a chase that began in Gum Springs and ended in the Vaden community after reaching speeds surpassing 100 mph.

On March 18, multiple police agencies were on a regional manhunt for an armed robbery suspect wanted in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. That morning, while looking for that suspect, police stationed themselves at Highway 67 and Reynolds Road in Gum Springs. 

The pursuit with Sparks began at 9:05 a.m. as he entered 67 from Reynolds Road “at a high rate of speed” before turning onto Hillcrest in an alleged attempt to evade police.

Sparks turned onto Church Street, then sped through its intersection with Jones Street before re-entering Reynolds Road. The vehicle went airborne as Sparks ramped the railroad tracks, according to an affidavit. The pursuit continued south on Hasley Road, where police clocked the speed at 110 mph.

From Hasley, Sparks turned onto Hudman Road, then onto Vaden Road. As Sparks passed Tin Can Road he nearly struck an oncoming vehicle, the affidavit notes; the same happened to another motorist at Newton Road. 

Near 2nd Road, the pursuit came to a sudden halt as Sparks lost control of the vehicle, ultimately crashing into a roadside ditch. According to the affidavit, Sparks exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.

Clark County Prosecutor Dan Turner has filed felony charges against Sparks for fleeing, a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison.