It was a scary thing when a husband recently had to rush his wife to a local hospital, fearing she was suffering a stroke and hoping to get medical care in time to avoid tragic results.
It was also a bad situation when the hospital-bound car was driven through red lights, with possible danger.
But when the bad situations coincided recently, common sense and good judgment should have prevailed. Unfortunately, however, they didn't.
Instead of speedily escorting the motorist and the patient to the hospital, a police officer pursued the car and confronted the driver at the hospital. A long list of charges was eventually filed against the driver.
Fortunately, though belatedly, good judgment has prevailed: Charges against the driver have been dropped by the Hamilton County district attorney's office, and a police spokeswoman has apologized.
The ticketing Chattanooga police officer has been placed on leave while administrative decisions about his actions are considered.
The distressed patient is being given medical attention.
Tennessee wisely has a "Necessity Law" designed to provide reasonable justice in such situations. It has been applied in this case.