WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Police pursuit ends on I-40 in Wilson Co.

Police pursuit ends on I-40 in Wilson Co.

A Mid-State man faces numerous charges after leading police on a chase that lasted several miles and spanned two counties Wednesday morning.

The high-speed chase began in south Nashville after an officer attempted to pull over the man's speeding car.

Reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles-per-hour, the suspect led police onto I-40 and into Wilson County where his car came to a stop just before running over spike strips laid down on the interstate by officers.

When police approached the car they found the driver with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest.

"When he stopped in the middle of the interstate and stabbed himself all the doors to the car were locked," Metro police spokesperson Don Aaron told News 2.  "Officer Pryor used his baton to break out the driver's side window to secure the suspect.  There was no effort to remove the knife from his chest at that point fearing that could cause more harm than good."

A life-flight helicopter was called and the suspect was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The knife was a four-inch steak knife and the man's injuries are not life-threatening.

Police told News 2 the suspect will be taken to jail when he is released from the hospital.

The man's girlfriend was also in the car.  She told authorities she was being held against her will and later told police she knew the man.

Police spokesperson Don Aaron said she had taken a warrant out for the man's arrest after he reportedly beat her up on May 31.

The man apparently picked his girlfriend up Tuesday night and they had driven through the night.

Police gave chase Wednesday morning after an officer tried to pull the pair over for speeding.

Police said they also stole three cases of beer from the Kangaroo market at Haywood Lane and Interstate 24 prior to the chase.

Authorities were forced to close I-40 East for a short time following the pursuit's end.  The roadway has since reopened.

Stay with News 2 and refresh this page for updates.