Bussell says he didn’t know it was illegal to run from police

‘What are you going to do about it?-‘ suspect asks police officer

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- As drivers of a couple of side-by-sides did donuts in a county maintained gravel parking, stirring up a cloud of dust and throwing large gravels, a veteran law enforcement officer was watching. Early Wednesday evening, La Follette Police Det. Sgt. Noah Riggs, who is also a Campbell County Sheriff’s Department Deputy, at first thought there was a fire due to the cloud of dust being so large.

The public parking area is near Miller’s Bridge on Old Middlesboro Highway. The officer noticed a parked car was getting the brunt of the gravels and dust, and that there were large grooves dug into the lot by the side-by-sides .

Riggs made contact with the drivers of the side-by-sides on Doaks Creek Road and Old Hwy 63. One was on a tan Cam-Am 1000, the other on a green and black Kawasaki Krx 1000. Riggs thought initially he was going to give the two men a verbal warning.

The side-by-side drivers were asked by Riggs why they were destroying the public parking lot? The man on the Cam-Am allegedly stated “because everybody does, and I wanted to”. So what are you going to do about it,” asked the man.

Riggs advised both drivers they were being detained by the police. The officer then opened his door and walked around his patrol vehicle. The the Cam-Am driver started his machine and fled, as stated in the report.

The Det.-Sgt. held his left hand in the air for the Kawasaki to stop for the police, and he started his side-by-side and headed north on Doaks Creek Road, according to the report.

Both side-by-sides continued to flee even though Riggs was attempting a traffic stop by using his cruiser’s, lights and siren.

Upon seeing the side-by-sides turn down Doaks Creek Lane, Riggs discontinued his lights and siren, because the lane is a dead end. He then began looking for the men.

Riggs located the driver of the Kawasaki, Brandon Bussell, hiding behind a pontoon boat. The officer spoke with the residents of the property, and they stated they did not know Bussell, as noted in the police report.

Bussell allegedly told Riggs that he was just going around in circles in the parking lot and thought it was funny. Bussell added that he did not know it was illegal to run from the police, according to the report.

The second driver remains unknown. Bussell would not tell police the name of the other suspect, according to Det.-Sgt. Riggs.

Bussell, 34, of 123 Moon Point-La Follette was released from the Campbell County Jail Thursday afternoon on a $12,500 secure bond. An October 21 court date awaits Bussell. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/10/2025-6AM)