December 14, 2023 – What should have been a routine traffic stop escalated into a high speed pursuit as a Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a green Kia for failing to stop at a stop sign in Como. The attempted traffic stop occurred at the intersection of West Gate Street and Haygood Street but the vehicle proceeded towards Highway 11 East failing to come to a stop. The vehicle then turned onto Highway 69 South with law enforcement in pursuit with sirens activated. Deputies pursued the fleeing vehicle in Wood County reaching speeds of over 100 mph. The Kia Soul then made it’s way onto FM 515, circling onto some county road and then back onto FM 515 in the opposite direction and now headed towards Winnsboro. The 2013 Kia turned on Main Street in Winnsboro finally coming to a stop in the Winnsboro Police Department parking lot. A felony take down was initiated with several officers that had joined in the pursuit. The driver was identified as Eual Eldon Hayes III, age 37, of Winnsboro who was placed under arrest for the charge of Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, drug paraphenalia was found in the vehicle with the Possession of Drug Paraphenalia charge being added to Hayes arrest report as well as the same misdemeanor charge added to the arrest of a passenger in the car. Both subjects were transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident where they remain awaiting bond to be set on the charges.
