Four-county chase ends in arrest
By Dwight Otwell Cherokee Sentinel Editor

William James Carryer

A four-county car chase ended Friday after stopsticks deployed by Cherokee County, NC Sheriff's deputies blew out three tires in the suspect's vehicle.

William James Carryer, 34, of Blairsville, decided that he didn't want to be inspected at a checkpoint manned by Union County law enforcement officials. He turned his vehicle around and fled.

While being chased by Union County deputies, Carryer threw bottles out of his car window, according to Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Wood.

Union County Sheriff's deputies chased Carryer into Towns County, Clay County and finally Cherokee County. Carryer fled up Old Hwy. 64 to McCombs Road, Wood said.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Andy Pierpoint put stopsticks out and Carryer ran his vehicle over them, deflating three tires. Carryer made it to the end of Old Hwy. 64 and then left his car and tried to escape on foot. However, deputies apprehended him within a few feet of his car. Carryer put up a fight before being subdued, Wood said. No one was injured.

Carryer's girlfriend, Carolyn Pennington, 28, of Blairsville, and their two-year-old child were in the car, Wood said. Because the child was endangered during the chase, Carryer was charged with misdemeanor child abuse.

Other charges against Carryer are Driving While Impaired, simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (hydrocodone), possession of marijuana (up to a half ounce), possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing to elude arrest, open container after consumption of alcohol and resisting public officer.

Carryer was placed under a $5,000 bond, which he made Saturday to get out of jail.