News Summary
A Nashville woman was arrested following a nearly four-and-a-half-hour low-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle. The pursuit disrupted traffic as the suspect, Katlyn Gayle Wray, managed to evade officers while driving as slowly as 7 mph. Wray faces multiple charges, including vehicle theft and evading arrest, amid public safety concerns regarding police protocols for low-speed pursuits.
Nashville Woman Arrested After Unusual Hours-Long Low-Speed Chase
Nashville authorities arrested a woman early Tuesday morning following a low-speed chase that lasted nearly four and a half hours. The incident, which began at approximately 3 a.m. and ended around 7:30 a.m., involved the suspect operating a stolen vehicle and nearly striking police officers during the pursuit.
The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Katlyn Gayle Wray. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) reported that officers discovered Wray unconscious in a black Nissan Altima, which had been reported stolen, on Burnett Road at the time of their initial encounter.
As officers attempted to check on her well-being, Wray awoke and reversed the vehicle, colliding with one patrol car and narrowly avoiding a second. Despite sustaining four flat tires on her car, she managed to flee the scene at an extremely low speed, with reports indicating she traveled as slowly as 7 miles per hour at times.
The slow-moving chase disrupted traffic along Bell Road and the I-24 corridor. In response to the situation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) redirected traffic away from affected lanes to ensure public safety. The pursuit involved both ground units and a police helicopter, as MNPD initially backed off to protect bystanders.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., law enforcement was able to bring the chase to a halt using a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) executed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) on I-24. Wray was apprehended after weaving across all four lanes of the interstate.
In addition to the immediate charges related to the chase, Wray faces multiple legal accusations, including two counts of vehicle theft, five counts of evading arrest with a risk of injury, reckless endangerment, and driving on a suspended license. She has a prior criminal history, which includes convictions for aggravated burglary, cocaine possession, and multiple theft-related offenses.
Prior to this incident, Wray had an outstanding warrant related to the theft of a Ford Fiesta that she allegedly borrowed in May and failed to return. Given the severity of the charges, her bond has been set at $107,000.
The unusual circumstances of the chase have raised questions among legal experts regarding police protocols in low-speed pursuits. Emphasis has been placed on the significance of evaluating public safety during such incidents as law enforcement considers the appropriate level of response in dangerous situations.
This incident highlights the complexities faced by police departments when dealing with low-speed pursuits, particularly in urban areas where traffic and public safety are major concerns. As the judicial process unfolds, further developments regarding Wray’s case may emerge, reflecting on the legal implications of her actions and past history.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Woman Arrested After Low-Speed Chase in Davidson County
Additional Resources
- NewsChannel 5
- Wikipedia: Police pursuit
- WSMV
- Google Search: low-speed chase Nashville
- WBKO
- Google Scholar: slow speed police chase
- WSMV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic incidents
- 102.9 The Buzz
- Google News: Nashville arrest July 2025
Author: HERE Nashville
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