Celtain Batterson (Photo from Chattanooga Police Department)Two Chattanooga police officers are under internal investigation after a high-speed pursuit of a reportedly intoxicated driver ended with the driver crashing into a home on North Moore Road in late August.
Officers Celtain Batterson and Donnis Boochie chased driver Nicholas Spurgeon after Batterson saw Spurgeon run a red light at the intersection of Brainerd and Moore roads on Aug. 31, records show.
It’s not clear when Boochie joined the pursuit, but Spurgeon’s arrest report first mentions him after Spurgeon had turned onto North Moore Road.
Batterson was working an extra job as security at the Brainerd Road Waffle House when he saw a black Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Spurgeon, run the red light and then tried to stop him.
But Spurgeon didn’t stop. Instead, he drove through Barger Academy’s parking lot and back onto Brainerd Road before turning onto North Moore Road. Both Batterson and Spurgeon gave chase, pursuing the vehicle that was traveling at speeds “well over 100 mph in a 35 mph zone,” according to the arrest report.