High speed pursuit through Mid-Missouri ends near Williamsburg

A high speed pursuit across Mid-Missouri finally came to an end Saturday near Willamsburg.

It started just before 1:00 in the afternoon south of Columbia and ended on County Road 182 just west of Willamsburg.

A witness said it stared in Ashland. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office said it began when the driver in a tan suburban with Missouri license plates displayed a weapon in front of a police officer.

According to police radio frequencies, police followed the subject south on Highway 63 to Jefferson City, turned east on Highway 94 and then traveled north on Highway D at speeds of about 95 to 100 miles per hour.

Officials said the Missouri Highway Patrol was part of the pursuit as well.

Jeff Harding with the Callaway Sheriff’s Office said after about 35 minutes, it finally ended near Williamsburg just north of I-70.

Jeff Harding, Callaway Co. Sheriff’s Department: “The vehicle was traveling north on Highway D, spike strips were deployed and the vehicle went into the field.”

Harding said the driver was pronounced dead on the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police are not releasing the driver’s name at this time.