City employee on unpaid leave after being accused of dragging man from truck, breaking his nose

Arthur Sands
Arthur Sands

A Chattanooga Public Works employee is on unpaid leave after he was accused of dragging a man from his truck and breaking his nose while on duty collecting brush for the city.

Arthur Sands, a 21-year city employee, was arrested on Thursday and charged with simple assault, according to a police affidavit.

"I've never seen anything like it in my life," said the beaten 35-year-old man, Stephen Coleman. "He broke my nose, blackened my eyes, blood splattered all over my window and car."

photo Arthur Sands

Coleman said he tried on Thursday to pass two city 311 utility trucks that were blocking the road on Bellbrook Drive. When neither truck would move, Coleman said he laid on his horn.

Sands, who was driving one of the utility trucks, drove toward Coleman and stopped, according to Coleman.

"What's your f------ problem," Coleman remembers Sands saying.

The two men began to exchange words. Police documented both of the men's version of what happened next.

Coleman told police that Sands jerked his door open and dragged him from his truck and punched him over and over. The 60-year-old man finally let Coleman go long enough for him to dial 911.

Sands told police that Coleman was already standing by his truck and when Coleman spat at Sands, Sands lunged for the younger man. Sands told police he then chased Coleman and struck him in the face.

Police concluded that Sands admitted to the assault and arrested him. He was charged with a misdemeanor.

Meanwhile, Coleman was transported to the hospital in an ambulance for a check up. He was treated and released. He had a bloody nose and swelling around he face, according to the affidavit.

Public Works Deputy Director Justin Holland said the city is conducting its own investigation separate from police to determine what happened when Sands was on duty. The city's code states that any city employee arrested in the scope of their work must be placed on administrative leave without pay, Holland said.

Coleman said he is trying to decide whether to pursue legal counsel.

"I'm really not sure what to do," he said.

Contact staff writer Joy Lukachick Smith at jsmith@timesfpress.com or 423-757-6659.

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