LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A man, said to reach speeds of 70 miles per hour while driving a sedan, according to an official, was being pursued by deputies with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office around 6pm Sunday. A call of a reckless driver to Central Dispatch prompted deputies to respond to the east side of La Follette near Big O’s Valley.
The pursuit by deputies began on Old Middlesboro Highway carrying for several miles barely on into Claiborne County. The speeding sedan reportedly ran three vehicles off the road just east of the Fincastle Church. Deputies pulled the sedan over at Judy’s Grocery and were able to talk to the driver before he sped away, according to officials.
A deputy began to pursue again with the ordeal continuing into Claiborne County. The deputy explained that the vehicle he was pursuing stopped and turned around and headed back toward Campbell County. The deputy witnessed the car wrecking and rolling injuring the driver and entrapping him inside the car. The wreck happened not far from the Cawood Methodist Church.
Authorities from Claiborne County also responded to the scene. A landing zone was set up not far from the site of the wreck for a medical helicopter out of Kentucky to land and transport the patient. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/31/2023-7PM)