LPD Officer forced to tase DUI suspect for running from scene

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- An orange van with a male behind the wheel sped away as La Follette Police Officer Joe Hicks attempted to initiate a traffic stop Thursday afternoon. “I was on patrol when I observed the van traveling west on West Central Avenue, and the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt,” stated Officer Hicks in his arrest report.

The van turned on to North 13th Street as Hicks activated his emergency lights and siren. The van continued up 13th Street and through the underpass at a high rate of speed nearly striking the concrete abutment, according to the report from LPD. It was outlined in the report that the van abruptly braked and turned left onto West Prospect Street.

The driver, identified as Franklin Lee Cantrell, exited the van and began to flee on foot. Officer Hicks immediately exited his cruiser and issued verbal commands for Cantrell to stop warning him he would be tased if he did not comply. Near the 13th Street Faith Tabernacle Church of God, Cantrell was tased, based on the arrest report.

First responders were called to the scene to remove taser probes from Cantrell; one was lodged in his neck. Cantrell was transported by Campbell EMS to the La Follette Medical Center where Cantrell consented to a blood draw.

Franklin Lee Cantrell, 48, 1925 Seminole Avenue-Nashville, was charged with DUI, felony evading arrest, evading arrest, resist stop-frisk-halt or search, two counts of felony reckless endangerment, reckless driving, failure to exercise due care, driving while license suspended, registration law violation and financial responsibility law violation. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/09/2026-6AM)