Three people have been arrested this afternoon in Monroe County after a man was thrown from a car which led deputies on a high speed chase. Shortly after 3:00 p.m. today, April 6, 2015, witnesses reported seeing a man being thrown from a vehicle near Trophy Ford at the intersection of Hwy. 18 and Patrol Road. A deputy responded to the scene and made contact with the man witnesses said was thrown from a vehicle. The man, Christopher Ringley, became uncooperative and after a short physical altercation with the deputy, was taken into custody. Ringley, 40 years old of Ringgold, GA is being charged with obstruction.
A BOLO was issued for the car from which Ringley was allegedly thrown. The car, a Chevrolet Malibu, was spotted on I-75 south by deputies shortly after the BOLO was issued near mile marker 184. Deputies attempted to stop the car, which then lead deputies on a chase, sometimes reaching speeds of over 100 mph. Deputies initiated a PIT (precision immobilization technique) maneuver near mile marker 175, which caused the Malibu to spin into the shoulder of the interstate and come to rest in a ditch. As deputies approached the vehicle to arrest the driver and passenger, the driver attempted to flee the scene in the vehicle. One deputy shot the right front tire of the Malibu, disabling it, and the driver and passenger were taken into custody without further incident.
The driver, Rickey Garey, 36, of Clearwater, FL is being charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, speeding, reckless driving and possession of methamphetamine. The passenger, Tegan Panarees, 35, of Tampa, FL is being charged with possession of methamphetamine. The investigation into this incident continues and additional charges are possible.
Allison Selman-Willis
PIO/Accreditation Manager
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office