Vehicle pursuit ends with arrest

What began as a traffic stop for a light law violation led to a pursuit through two counties and resulted in one man being jailed on a multitude of charges, according to Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Janice Atkinson.

The incident began about 12:40 a.m. Saturday when sheriff’s deputies stopped a 1990 Chevrolet truck driven by James Matthew Smith in the 7900 block of Standifer Gap road for a light law violation, Ms. Atkinson said.

Deputies were preparing to take Mr. Smith into custody as he was wanted in Bradley County, Tenn., for a probation violation when he drove away, she said.

Deputies Kasey Higginbotham, Breeland Kilgore and K-9 Officer Hank Ritter pursued, following Mr. Smith to Jenkins Road and then onto Interstate 75 north toward Bradley County, Ms. Atkinson said.

The suspect left the freeway at exit 20 and traveled onto side streets, into several residents’ yards and attempted to ram Officer Kilgore’s patrol vehicle with his truck, she said.

Mr. Smith pulled onto the lot of the Bradley County Justice Center where he was taken into custody by Bradley County Sheriff’s deputies, Ms. Atkinson said.

Mr. Smith was charged with aggravated assault against an officer, felony evading, reckless endangerment, light law violation, traffic control device violation, financial responsibility and two counts of vandalism, she said.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by officers with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.