February 13, 2019 – A Springfield, Illinois couple is in Hopkins County Jail after fleeing a Hopkins County Deputy during a traffic stop on I-30 at the 142 mile marker. Stopped for speeding, the driver of the auto , Tommie Jason Lovelace, 36, denied consent to search the vehicle. The officer made contact with the passenger of the vehicle and asked the passenger to step out of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. That’s when the problem began.
The passenger, Tonee Nicole Jarrett, 25, rolled up the passenger window and unbuckled from the seatbelt a four year old child. She placed the child in the floor of the vehicle. The passenger then became the driver and fled the scene. As Jarrett fled in the vehicle, Lovelace stood in front of the deputy’s patrol unit as he attempted to give chase. Lovelace failed to comply with commands to move out of the way and hindered the deputies ability to pursue Jarrett.
Lovelace was arrested at the scene and Jarrett was later arrested at Texas Highway 37 and County Road SW3070.
Lovelace was arrested for Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle and Hinder Apprehension or Prosecution. Jarrett was arrested for Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle and Abandoning or Endangering a Child.
