FROM STAFF REPORTS

Harpersville police resorted to using a Taser on a reckless driver as he crossed U.S. 280, abandoned his car and began running away from the police officers on Sept. 17, according to a press release from the Harpersville Police.

At about 11:30 p.m, Officer Barry Wathen initiated a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger pickup truck for traveling 97 mph in a 65 mph speed zone. According to the release, Wathen approached the vehicle and spoke briefly with the driver, Samuel Heath Shoemaker. Shoemaker at first appeared compliant with instructions, and then suddenly put his vehicle in drive and drove away from the stop at a high rate of speed. Wathen pursued the vehicle west bound on U.S. 280, the release stated.

The subject crossed U.S. 280 and was traveling west in the eastbound lane. He returned to the right side of the road and lost control of his vehicle near Larry’s Tractor in Westover, the release stated.

According to the release, the subject then damaged a fence, and then drove his vehicle into the wood line, jumped out and ran on foot. Wathen and Officer Chesser pursued the subject on foot. The subject was subdued after a brief struggle and deployment of a Taser.

Shoemaker was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving on wrong side of road, no seat belt, failure/refusal to display insurance, exceeding reasonable road speed and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s website. He was transported to Shelby Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. After release, he was transported to Shelby County Jail, where he was released after posting a bond of $8,100, the release stated.