Driver says he fled Neosho police because he thought he had felony warrants

A driver accused of leading police on a reckless high-speed chase through Neosho told investigators he ran because he believed he had outstanding felony warrants in Arkansas.

Johnathan Chrisco is being held in the Newton County Jail following the Tuesday pursuit, which reached speeds of up to 90 mph.

A Neosho police officer spotted Chrisco driving a pickup without a rear license plate near Lusk and Industrial Drives around 7:34 p.m.

The truck reportedly matched the description of a vehicle that had already fled an earlier traffic stop.

Police say Chrisco initially stopped for officers before accelerating away, triggering a 5.5-mile pursuit through the city.

Investigators say Chrisco swerved between lanes, drove around other vehicles, and repeatedly lost control of his truck.

He hit a barbed-wire fence on Kodiak Road, nearly caused a collision at Highway 59 and Palm Road, and narrowly missed another vehicle on Lusk Drive.

The chase ended when Chrisco drove into an embankment, disabling his truck.

He initially refused commands to exit and resisted arrest by concealing his hand underneath his body.

Officers reported that Chrisco had glossy eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty maintaining his balance. He allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana throughout the day and drinking two shots of alcohol.

Chrisco later refused field sobriety tests at the Newton County Detention Center.

Investigators say Chrisco admitted fleeing because he believed he had a felony warrant out of Benton County, Arkansas.

He faces eight listed charges, including driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, driving while revoked or suspended, and aggravated fleeing under Missouri's Valentine's Law.