Man Driving Motorcycle At dangerous Speed Arrested

A motorcyclist is in jail after he tried to evade police Monday evening in Cosby. Cocke County Sheriff’s Officer LT. Miranda Williams says she was driving on Cosby Hwy when a red and black Sports Motorcycle drove past her in a 45 mph zone going over 90 mph. Lt. Williams turned her cruiser around and began pursuing the motorcycle, who began to pass other vehicles in a no passing zones in an effort to flee from police. The pursuit turned onto the Foothill Parkway with the motorcyclist getting up to over 90 mph on that winding mountain road. Williams decided for safety reasons to terminate the pursuit at the second overlook.

Deputy Gavin Colley had spotted the same motorcycle earlier at Janice’s Diner in Cosby. Deputies interviewed people at the restaurant who identified the owner of the motorcycle as 48 year old Cecil Baxter. Deputies then went to his residence on Wilton Springs Road where Baxter told them he had not been the one on the motorcycle, even though he was wearing clothing matching the description of the motorcyclist. After being given permission to search Baxter’s garage, deputies found parts of a red and black motorcycle that Baxter had tried to dismantle before law enforcement arrived. Baxter was arrested and is now charged with evading police, tampering with evidence and reckless driving amongst other charges.