Derby man enters guilty plea in high-speed chase, drug case

DERBY –– Terry J. Adams, 40, of Derby, appeared in court last week and entered a guilty plea to a series of charges stemming from a high-speed pursuit and narcotics possession. The plea agreement significantly reduces Adams’ potential incarceration time.

Adams was facing six felony counts, but under the plea deal, he pleaded guilty to two felonies — narcotic possession and evading law enforcement — and one misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment.

The charges originated from an incident in October of 2022, when Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Justin Lindor attempted to stop a vehicle without an inspection sticker on Main Street in Orleans.

The vehicle, driven by Adams, dangerously passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone and accelerated to over 70 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, leading onto Hollow Road with speeds surpassing 80 MPH on a dirt road. The pursuit was terminated for safety reasons.

The chase ended when Adams and other passengers fled the vehicle on foot. Upon his capture, Adams was found in possession of 1.22 grams of fentanyl. A search of the vehicle also uncovered a fully loaded handgun magazine on the driver’s seat and drug paraphernalia.

This agreement proposes a prison term for Adams ranging from three to six years, a reduction from the possible 15-year sentence and $50,000 in fines initially faced. Additionally, the state will drop the remaining charges, including the potential habitual offender charge, with prejudice.