Arrest made after chase on Parkway

A motorcyclist was still in custody Tuesday after taking authorities on a dangerous chase across several miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway beginning at 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 9.

Ranger Bruce Gagnon ended the chase when he struck 36-year-old James S. Peebles of Boonville with a Taser near the Parkway's intersection with U.S. 21 as he attempted to turn around and dropped his motorcycle, a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja, on the shoulder.

Officials said Peebles passed about 20 vehicles, some in blind curves and all on double yellow lines, sometimes reaching speeds estimated at more than 100 miles per hour.

The chase, which covered about 25 miles, was recorded on video. According to a report furnished by the Park Service, a ranger spotted the motorcycle speeding and Peebles attempted to flee with the ranger in pursuit. The ranger lost visual contact and reduced his speed, but after several miles he sighted the motorcycle again. The motorcycle then reversed direction.

Rangers called for assistance from the N.C. Highway Patrol and the Alleghany Sheriff's Office, which came to aid the rangers near the U.S. 21 intersection. As Peebles approached and saw the vehicles, he attempted to exit the Parkway, but ran over a traffic island and stopped on the shoulder when his bike apparently slid onto its side. The ranger pulled ahead of the motorcycle and a state unit pulled behind and the ranger ordered Peebles off the motorcycle. Peebles again attempted to flee, but Gagnon was able to deploy the Taser, a weapon which fires two barbs and then administers an incapacitating electric shock, into Peebles shoulder.

Peebles was transported to Alleghany Memorial Hospital to have the barbs, or darts, removed.

Gagnon said Peebles was charged with fleeing to elude arrest and other charges were pending as of presstime on Tuesday. Gagnon said he would release information on those charges when it becomes available.

 

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