A 29-year-old Memphis man is facing three counts of kidnapping after Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers say he led them on a high-speed chase that topped 104 miles per hour, ending with a passenger jumping from the moving truck and a 13-year-old found inside who told authorities they were not allowed to leave.
Kashun A. Henderson is accused of leading troopers on the chase with several people in his vehicle, according to WREG. A THP trooper reported seeing a gray Toyota Tundra traveling at 104 miles per hour on Interstate 240 East near Poplar Avenue, and authorities said the truck had suspended vehicle tags. When the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver pulled onto the left shoulder before accelerating away, authorities said.
Truck Weaved Through Traffic, Caused Collisions
The trooper reported that the Toyota Tundra was driven at reckless speeds and weaved through traffic, causing multiple collisions. THP said the truck disregarded multiple stop signs and traffic lights as it exited onto Whitten Road and reached the area of Cordova Green Road before the pursuit continued. At some point during the chase, a passenger jumped out of the truck, sustained an injury and was transported to Regional One, per the same report.
Henderson eventually exited the truck near Davis Way and Humphreys Hill Drive and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase, the station reported. Two victims were found in the truck after the chase, and the pair told authorities that Henderson did not allow them to leave the vehicle. One of the two was a 13-year-old child.
Lengthy Charge List Includes Kidnapping, Child Endangerment
Henderson faces an extensive list of charges beyond the three kidnapping counts, the station's report shows. Those include evading arrest by motor vehicle, evading arrest by foot pursuit, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, three counts of reckless driving, child endangerment, and joyriding. He is also charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, speeding, disregarding a traffic control signal, driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving on the right, and improper passing.
Tennessee's evading-arrest statute makes it unlawful to intentionally flee or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle after receiving a signal to stop, according to Tennessee Code § 39-16-603. Under state law outlined by womenslaw.org, kidnapping is defined as false imprisonment under circumstances that expose another person to a substantial risk of bodily injury.
No Bond Ahead Of Thursday Court Date
Henderson is being held at 201 Poplar in Memphis with no bond set, per the report. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning. The outcome of the charges and further details about the victims and injured passenger have not been made public.
