Tennessee man previously charged in high speed motorcyle chase, arrested for DUI

A Knoxville, Tennessee man who is facing numerous charges stemming from a high-speed chase on I-75 that reached speeds of 150 mph last month, is back in the Laurel County Detention Center after he was stopped for speeding on I-75 in London and arrested for DUI.

Officials with the Laurel District Court Clerk’s Office said 39-year-old Tonjai Hardy has pleaded not guilty to speeding – 15 mph over the limit and driving under the influence of alcohol Friday morning.

Kentucky State Police, Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Mike Hamblin, arrested Hardy just after 10 p.m. Thursday.

Hamblin said the arrest report that about 9:45 p.m., he clocked a Black Dodge Charger travelling south at 97 mph on the interstate between exits 38 and 41. In London

Hamblin initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, later identified as Hardy.

Hamblin said he initially smelled alcohol coming from Hardy’s person and noticed he had, “glassy and blood shot eyes.”

“Above stated he had drank three beers about an hour and a half earlier,” Hamblin said in the arrest citation.

Hamblin said a portable Breathalyzer test indicated the presence of alcohol. Hardy also failed several field sobriety tests.

Hardy was taken to St. Joseph London where a blood sample was secured to conduct a blood alcohol test.

Hardy was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.

At the time of his arrest, Hardy was free from the detention center on a $10,000 cash bond stemming from the April 18 pursuit that ended when he crashed his motorcycle near exit 25 in Corbin.

That incident began when Kentucky State Police Sgt. Jason Bunch clocked a motorcycle travelling south at a high rate of speed near exit 41.

KSP Sergeants Les Moses and Jason Partin were waiting as the bike approached the 37-mile marker and initiated pursuit.

“The operator reached speeds of over 150 mph weaving in and out of traffic and passing vehicles on the shoulders,” Partin stated in the arrest citation.

As the pursuit passed exit 25, Partin stated Hardy slowed down and turned onto the southbound entrance ramp, exiting the interstate. Hard then crossed Cumberland Falls Highway to the exit ramp where he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed.

“The subject then took off running on foot up toward the interstate,” Partin stated, noting Hardy crossed the interstate on foot before troopers took him into custody.

Hardy was taken to St. Joseph London for treatment of minor injuries before he was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Hard was charged with speeding – 26 mph or greater over the limit, reckless driving, first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, no motorcycle operator’s license, failure to register the transfer of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

Hardy is scheduled to return to Laurel District Court Wednesday for hearings on both cases.