OXFORD – An Oxford man on a motorcycle led police on a high-speed pursuit through Oxford and Preston before losing control of his bike and crashing along the roadway in the Town of McDonough on December 31.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office has charged Jeremy W. Wakefield, 38, of Oxford, with a series of misdemeanors and traffic offenses following a police investigation, including failing to comply with a police officer, driving without a license, no registration or insurance, and speeding; along with more than two dozen other charges.

Sheriff's Lt. Dustin Smietana reported a sheriff's deputy on patrol along route 12 in the Town of Oxford passed a motorcycle and noticed it did not have a visible license plate. When the officer tried to pull the motorcycle over the driver instead sped away.

Police attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of the bike and relocated it on other occasions as it sped through the Village and Town of Oxford and Preston before ending in McDonough. The chase followed a meandering path through local roads including State Highway 12 and 220 and Hoben Road.

A sheriff's vehicle again lost sight of the fleeing motorcycle as they neared the McDonough area.

“On County Route 8 in McDonough the officer was following the last known direction and came up on a wrecked motorcycle along the road. The driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and issued a host of tickets,” said Smietana.

Smietana said police were careful to control their own speeds and said the roadways did not have heavy traffic at the time.

No other injuries or damage to property was reported during the incident.

Police said they detected the bike was traveling at least 65 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone at one point, but also said it was likely the speeds of the motorcycle exceeded that amount during the incident.

Wakefield was treated at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton and released. He will appear in court at a later date.