OAK HILL — A traffic stop attempt in Oak Hill escalated into a foot pursuit Friday evening after police say a driver fled from officers in a vehicle with expired registration.

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred around 6:13 p.m. on January 2, 2026, when Oak Hill Patrolman S.M. Wilshire observed a red Chevrolet Blazer traveling on East Main Street that matched the description of a suspicious vehicle previously reported near Needles Eye Park. Authorities said the vehicle had also been flagged the previous day for expired registration.

When Wilshire attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Victory Street by activating his emergency lights, the driver allegedly accelerated at a high rate of speed and turned into a residence on Victory Street before stopping in the backyard. Police said the driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

The officer pursued the suspect through several yards and across Dickenson Avenue, issuing verbal commands to stop. The pursuit continued into a wooded area, where the suspect — later identified as Stephen Dequasie — was found on the ground, according to the report.

Police said Dequasie initially refused to comply with commands to place his hands behind his back, resulting in a brief struggle before he was taken into custody with assistance from Sgt. J. Jones. Officers also reported concerns that the suspect may have been armed during the encounter.

According to the complaint, officers observed signs consistent with suspected drug impairment, including dilated pupils and excited behavior. Due to his condition, field sobriety testing was not conducted. Dequasie later consented to a blood draw at Plateau Medical Center, and the sample was secured for laboratory testing.

Officers also discovered Dequasie had an active probation violation warrant out of Fayette County. The Chevrolet Blazer was towed from the scene and found to have expired registration dating back to August 2025.

After being medically cleared at approximately 10:45 p.m., Dequasie was processed at the Oak Hill Police Department and transported to Southern Regional Jail pending further court proceedings.

The incident occurred within the city limits of Oak Hill in Fayette County.