A Brookhaven High School teacher and assistant football coach,who is also a former Brookhaven police officer, was arrested Fridaynight following a chase through the county and city.

Patrick Hardy, 26, of 209 Avalon Street, was charged withaggravated assault, domestic violence, fleeing blue lights, failureto stop for an officer and reckless driving after leading lawenforcement officers on a high-speed chase around 6 p.m. Friday,according to Lincoln County Sheriff Lynn Boyte.

“According to the report we have, he started chasing his ex-wifeand her friend, and he bumped their car several times,” said Boyte.”The victims said that some shots were fired at their vehicle aswell.”

The incident began around 6 p.m. on James Drive in the Loyd Stararea. It continued to Brookhaven with several deputies andBrookhaven Police Officers attempting to stop Hardy.

“Our officers responded quickly to the deputies’ call when theycame in the city,” said Brookhaven Police Chief Fred McKee.

At one point, the chase was halted at The Oak Tree Restaurant onChickasaw Street, according to authorities, but Hardy spun out hisvehicle and eluded officers for a few more blocks. He was arrestednear Railroad Avenue about 7 p.m.

Hardy, who is being held in the Lincoln County Jail on a$250,000 bond, had at least one firearm in his possession at thetime of his arrest.

Authorities are thankful for a safe ending to the chase.

“Anytime things like this can be brought to a conclusion withoutany wrecks or anybody getting hurt, you’re very fortunate,” saidBoyte.

Hardy served as a Brookhaven police officer from July 1997 toAug. 2000, when he began teaching and coaching at BHS.

Superintendent of Education Dr. Sam Bounds was unavailable forcomment about the weekend arrest.