William James Smith Jr., 39 of Okay is charged with seven crimes — including two felonies — after a high-speed chase that began on US 62 in Muskogee and reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour before running a Wagoner County deputy off the road and ending in Okay.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Duncan Smith attempted to stop William Smith’s white 2006 Nissan pickup truck at Shawnee and Country Club, but the suspect failed to stop. After the trooper shined his spotlight in the back window of the truck, Smith allegedly accelerated quickly and initiated a chase that turned north on York Street. Once in Wagoner County, Smith allegedly saw a Wagoner County deputy coming toward him and swerved into the deputy’s lane, forcing the deputy off the road.
When the chase hit Okay, Smith’s pickup allegedly ran off the road and got stuck in a yard, so he fled on foot. The trooper overcame him and arrested him. Smith then fell asleep in the trooper’s car after the trooper said he smelled a strong odor of marijuana on him and discovered numerous pieces of paraphernalia from the pickup.
Smith faces a felony charge of endangering others while attempting to elude a police officer, a felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon (his pickup), a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor charge of possession of controlled dangerous substance, a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.
He has also been convicted of numerous previous felonies, including possession of drugs, seven counts of burglary of a vehicle, bail jumping, endeavoring to manufacture controlled drug and second-degree forgery.
