‘Anyone could have been killed': Wanted teen leads Williamson County deputies on high-speed chase
According to officials, the incident began after the Spring Hill Police Department requested assistance from the Williamson County Sheriff's Office to find a young man, later identified as 18-year-old Baker Zahar of Atlanta, Georgia.
Bodycam video obtained by News 2 shows the moments deputies chased Zahar along I-840 West on Friday, May 2 as he drove at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour in a Honda Civic.
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At one point, video captured a deputy spike the vehicle's tires. Within minutes, the tires began to shred near the Goose Creek Bypass. Authorities reported that's when Zahar went off the roadway and crashed.
As seen on video, Zahar got out of the vehicle and ran away as a deputy chased behind him.
'That is just insane, anyone could have been killed,' said WSCO Captain Becky Coyle. 'This is the kind of stuff we got to put a stop to.'
A deputy reportedly tracked the 18-year-old to a wood line, where he was found hiding in a thorny thicket and claimed to have a bomb.
When the deputy instructed Zahar to show his hands, the 18-year-old ran deeper into the darkness instead.
Officials said the teen was found minutes later in a Goose Creek neighborhood. Zahar was then taken into custody at gunpoint.
The 18-year-old allegedly told deputies that he lived in the area. While sitting in the back of the squad car, he then asked law enforcement why they were being so nice to him.
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'It's a clear example of how well Williamson County deputies work together,' added Coyle. 'If you are looking to do crime, don't come to Williamson County. Their training is excellent and they are going to find you.'
Zahar was charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated stalking, evading arrest, theft of property, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and speeding.
Booking records show he is being held in Williamson County Jail on a $750,000 bond.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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