On June 22 at approximately 11:45 pm a Cordell Officer observed a 2010 Silver Nissan travelling east on Main Street in Cordell. The driver, later identified as Aaron Louis Ray of Clinton, was observed to be driving outside of his lane, riding the center line, and picking up spe ed rapidly.
The officer initiated a traffic stop but the driver continued to swerve in and out of his lane while traveling at 100 mph. The officer pursued the vehicle and observed broken metal, sparks, and smoke coming from below the car.
At CR 3000 the driver of the Nissan made a sudden turn and drove through a barbed wire fence at a high rate of speed. The impact caused significant damage to the car. The officer followed through the break in the fence and observed the driver (Ray) exit the vehicle and flee on foot. A female passenger and a dog remained in the car .
The officer exited his patrol car and pursued Ray on foot. During the chase Ray continued to ignore commands to stop and show his hands. The officer fired his JPX Pepper Gas weapon in an effort to end the chase. Eventually the officer was able to subdue Ray and put him in wrist restraints.
At this time a Washita Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Deputy arrived and assisted the Cordell Officer in searching the Nissan. An odor of alcohol emanated from the vehicle. A vial containing suspected marijuana, a glass pipe with contents that field-tested positive for methamphetamines, ammunition, and a rifle were found in the Nissan.
The Cordell Officer transported Ray and his dog to the Washita County Detention Center where a family member picked up the dog and Ray’s condition began to deteriorate. Ray stated that he was ‘coming off’ fentanyl and that he smoked fentanyl daily.
Ray was booked and he initially refused to cooperate with jail personnel but was eventually placed in a cell.
Ray was charged with endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude po (felony), possession a firearm after former felony conviction, dui (drugs), possession of controlled dangerous substance – methamphetamine, poss of cds - marijuana – and unlawful poss. of drug paraphernalia. On July 12th at 8:00 p.m. Officers were called to the Cordell City Pool on a report of a male subject refusing to leave the property. The subject was identified as Austin Robinson. Officers arrived and Robinson told them that he was waiting for a lifeguard who pushed him into the water to come out so he could fight them. Robinson became belligerent. With multiple families with children witnessing the incident, officers placed Robinson in handcuffs to ensure safety and placed him in the patrol car. A strong odor of alcohol was present and Robinson’s speech was slurred.
After speaking with pool staff, officers determined that Robinson was touching a female lifeguard repeatedly and a male lifeguard pushed him into the pool.
Robinson is facing charges of public intoxication, minor in possession of alcohol and tobacco, and disorderly conduct.
Note: All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law