Motorcyclist leads sheriff and other officers on high speed pursuit into DeKalb County

(The following story and photo were provided to WJLE by the Smith County Insider)
A Carthage man was arrested after leading the sheriff and other officers on a high speed pursuit that ended in DeKalb County the evening of Thursday, May 18.
While investigating a vehicle pursuit, Sgt. Junior Fields of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office learned through dispatch that the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the Smithville Police Department had made contact with a motorcycle and driver matching the description of one who had fled from Sheriff Steve Hopper.
According to the police report, Hopper was attempting to stop the motorcycle at 9:04 p.m. for reckless driving, at which time the motorcycle had come by him at an excessive speed.
Hopper attempted to stop the motorcycle on the Highway 25 bypass near Cumberland Mine Road, at which time the motorcycle fled from Hopper at a high rate of speed over 100 mph toward Gordonsville on Gordonsville Highway, according to the police report.
According to the police report, the motorcycle failed to stop at the intersection of Gordonsville Highway and New Middleton Highway and continued down Hickman Highway, traveling into DeKalb County.
Other officers joined Hopper in an attempt to stop the fleeing suspect.
Hopper described the rider as wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.
After the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Smithville Police Department made contact with the motorcycle, a gray 2003 Honda CBR sports bike and rider, at DeKalb market, the driver was identified as Nicholas Bratcher (19, Carthage) and detained for Sheriff Hopper.
According to the police report, Bratcher allegedly admitted to having run from Hopper in an attempt to get away and to avoid arrest.
The police report notes that the pursuit “passed numerous vehicles and placed numerous citizens in danger of serious bodily injury or death.”
Bratcher was placed under arrest and transported to the Smith County Jail Facility for booking.
He is charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and evading arrest. He was also issued state citations of no license, violation of financial responsibility, stop sign violation and improper display of registration plate.