‘I’m not going to jail, you’ll have to kill me-‘ Overbay to police

Wisconsin man, airlifted to a Knoxville hospital, faces a dozen charges

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A 12 mile pursuit by Campbell County Deputies ended with a suspect flipping his car on its top and pinning himself inside. The half- hour chase allegedly reached speeds of 90 miles per hour on old Highway 63 between Fincastle and Speedwell, according to the report from the sheriff’s office.

At 5:49pm Sunday, Deputy Grant Cole responded to the call of a possible drunk driver who was allegedly swerving on Old Hwy. 63. The deputy’s first encounter with the driver of a 2005 silver Honda Accord was when the Honda allegedly came over into Cole’s lane near Miller’s Bridge. The cruiser was headed east while, Derek Overbay, the man later identified as the driver of the sedan, was going toward La Follette.

Based on the report, Cole turned around, and when he caught up with the Honda, he allegedly saw Overbay cross into oncoming traffic almost hitting an oncoming car. Overbay kept driving then suddenly stopped in the middle of the road at Henegar Lane. The Honda then took off and accelerated to excessive speeds; as they passed Judy’s Grocery, the Honda over corrected and completely turned around in eastbound lane going in reverse toward an oncoming pick-up truck. The Honda, still out of control, struck the truck and then came to a rest in the front yard of a home on the corner of Brown Crest Road about a 100 yards east of the Fincastle Church.

Cole made contact with Overbay, who allegedly appeared to be very disoriented. Overbay became agitated and cursed at the deputy saying, “I’m not going to jail, you will have to kill me,” according to the report. The report also said a cooler of beer was spotted in the car by the deputy, and that one beer in the console was open.

As Cole tried to talk with Overbay, he allegedly pulled a knife and lunged through the window of the Honda toward the deputy. Cole jumped back and drew his weapon. Sgt. Justin Phillips arrived, and the confrontation with Overbay continued until he started up his car and drove off soon pursued by the officers.

Phillips, in the lead cruiser, pursued Overbay east on Old Hwy 63 into Claiborne County where Overbay turned his car around at the Cawood Methodist Church and Back Valley Road heading back toward La Follette. Overbay allegedly drove the Honda into oncoming traffic almost hitting Phillips patrol car.

Meanwhile, further west, Cole turned off Old Hwy 63 onto Seal Drive. He positioned his car to block a section of Old Highway 63 as Overbay was heading toward Seal Drive. Cole then radioed Overbay crashed flipping his car on its top and pinning himself inside.

Authorities from Claiborne County also responded to the scene. A landing zone was set up near the accident for a Kentucky medical helicopter to land and transport the Overbay to a Knoxville hospital.

Once cleared at the hospital, Overbay was arrested on over a dozen charges. The counts are reckless driving, passing over yellow, felony evading, aggravated assault on an officer, driving on a suspended license, reckless endangerment, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, resist-stop-frisk-halt, excessive speed of 90 mph, fleeing the scene, failure to maintain lane and the violation of the Tennessee financial law.

Overbay remains housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning without bond awaiting a Wed., Jan. 9, court date. He is also wanted by another law enforcement agency. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/04/2023-6AM)