By Jeremy Z. Young

LaFollette Police Officer Joe Brown didn’t have to look for people breaking the law May 2. They almost hit his patrol car while running a stop sign.

Brown saw a 1986 Ford Ranger travel through the stop sign at the intersection of South 6th St. and Central Ave. Brown couldn’t help but see the truck because he “had to take evasive maneuver’s to avoid a collision with (the) vehicle,” the report reads.

Brown activated his emergency lights and began pursuit.

During the brief chase, the truck was observed crossing into oncoming lanes several times.

After dashing through several intersections without stopping at any of the signs, the truck began to smoke heavily, and
driver, 26 year-old David Bennett, held his hands out the window, indicating his surrender.

Bennett was taken into custody. However, truck passenger Jeff Meadows was released at the scene.

After an NCIC check, it was discovered that the license plate on Bennett’s truck didn’t belong on the vehicle. Bennett told the officer that he didn’t stop because he knew the tags were expired.

Bennett was charged with reckless driving, violation of a traffic control device, violation of the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law, felony evading arrest, felony reckless endangerment, violation of registration, failure to yield to emergency vehicles and a seat belt violation.