Judge gives 18-month sentence

A Floyd County teenager convicted of stealing a car and then ramming a Floyd County Sheriff’s vehicle, seriously injuring a deputy, faces 18 months in jail followed by five years of probation and must pay more than $19,000 in restitution.

Gage Chase Kiser, 18 entered guilty pleas in June to charges of driving on a suspended license, auto larceny, reckless driving, failure to stop and destruction of property.  In February, Gage admitted in court he stole a car and crashed the car into a sheriff’s patrol car driven by Deputy Michael Wade – seriously injuring the police officer.

Kiser fled the scene and turned himself in to sheriff’s deputies the next day. In court, he told Circuit Judge Ray W. Grubbs that he was drunk when he took the car and said he has nightmares about the crash.

Grubbs sentenced Kiser to five years in prison, and then suspended three year and six months, shortening the jail time to 18 months. During his five years of probation, Kiser must replay $19,939.18 in restitution to his victims and insurance companies.

A pre-sentencing report prepared by probation officer Jeremy Jones showed Kiser still owes more than $4,000 in restitution from a previous incident where he wrecked a stolen car. The report also referred to a serious juvenile record.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Shortt argued for jail time for Kiser, saying his record of stealing cars shows he is a threat to the community.  Defense attorney Travis H. Epes asked the judge to consider the time already served while awaiting trial and argued Kiser needed treatment for alcoholism.

Kiser told Grubbs he has had a drinking problem since his early teens.

Kiser also suffered injuries from the crash with Deputy Wade’s vehicle but the injuries did not keep him from fleeing the scene.