WAMAC — Bail has been set at $40,000 in Washington County for a 23-year-old Kell man arrested after leading multiple police agencies on a car chase Tuesday afternoon with speeds reaching 110 miles per hour.

Wamac Police Chief Steve Prather says Zachary Higgins went to a home being surveilled by police for suspicious activity Tuesday. When Higgins left the home, Wamac Police followed the vehicle and discovered it had expired plates, leading police to try to initiate a traffic stop. Higgins would not stop and the chase ensued. Centralia Police joined the chase to assist Wamac.

After starting in Washington County, the chase continued across the county line into Jefferson County where sheriff’s deputies assisted in the chase. After driving on Richview Road towards Mt. Vernon, Higgins turned onto North Woodlawn Lane where the chase continued. Higgins attempted to turn into a field from Woodlawn Lane where his vehicle got stuck. He then fled on foot but the chase ended when he attempted to swim across a creek was unsuccessful and he returned to shore at gunpoint.

Higgins was arrested and taken to the Washington County Jail for alleged driving while license suspended, speeding 110 mph in a 55, reckless driving, aggravated fleeing and eluding, failing to stop at a stop sign, and false registration. Upon further investigation, Prather says it was discovered the gold Chevy Silverado Higgins was driving was reportedly stolen a few days earlier out of Fayette County.

Prather says the case has been forwarded to the Fayette and Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s where more charges could be filed.