Brotherly argument leads to wreck, leaving the scene and arrest

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – La Follette Police Sgt. Shane Tielman’s middle of the night detective instincts kicked in helping him solve a leaving the scene wreck Saturday morning.

The area where Sgt. Shane Tielman spotted truck tracks.

The sergeant answered the 3:28am call of a pick-up truck swerving off Jacksboro Pike, allegedly crashing into the Sonic, leaving the scene and travelling toward Nevada Avenue. Before venturing to Nevada Ave., Tielman sized up the situation at the Sonic seeing tire tracks going over the curb, through the grass toward the outdoor seating area. There was substantial damage to the outdoor tables, menu intercom and railings. Debris left behind included a driver side plastic mirror cover, an antenna, passenger side headlight, fog light, front grille with a Chevy emblem, according to the LPD report.

About 15 minutes later, Tielman and Patrol Officer Justin Painter patrolled Nevada Ave. and found a black Chevy pick-up with front end damage matching the parts at the Sonic. Two men were outside of the truck where Nevada intersects with Church Street.

Yellow crime tape marks off the area with damage was suffered at the Sonic.

The men were identified as the Carroll brothers, Tom and Jake, the report said. Tom Carroll allegedly said he was the driver. He was in a verbal argument with his brother, Jake Carroll, while driving on Jacksboro Pike when he suddenly applied the brakes attempting to make the turn into the Sonic parking lot, he told police. However, he lost control driving into the outdoor seating area.

Tom Carroll allegedly admitted he left the scene, but should have stayed. He next turned on Nevada onto Church Street heading toward Iron Street. He then turned around on Iron Street and parked on Church Street. He did not want to go home to Nevada Heights, because he knew the police were on their way, the report said Tom Carroll told police.

Charges levied against Tom Carroll include reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Carroll, 20, of 131 Nevada Avenue, is free on bond and is due in court on Feb. 29. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/20/2024-6AM)