Tucker behind bars after evading police at high rate of speed

Law enforcement pursued Johnathan Tucker at speeds of 100 miles per hour

ROCKY TOP, TN (WLAF)- Multiple law enforcement agencies were able to get their man in a vehicle pursuit early Wednesday. Right before 4:30am, a Rocky Top Police Officer took 30-year old Johnathan B. Tucker of Loop Road, La Follette, into custody.

Just before 4am, the pursuit began in Anderson County and continued on I-75 into Campbell County. Tucker soon turned around and went back to Anderson County.

For a reason yet to be learned, an Anderson County Deputy was in a high-speed pursuit of a Tucker in a silver Ford F-150 truck heading north on I-75. Campbell County authorities were notified the suspect was headed their way, and a Campbell County Deputy joined the pursuit entering the interstate northbound at Caryville.

The F-150 was followed up I-75 by police at a high rate of speed before exiting at Exit 141. Tucker soon reentered I-75 heading south. The CCSO Deputy called out speeds over his police radio; 100 miles per hour at 3:53am then 90 MPH at Mile Marker 137.4 and 95 MPH through a construction zone before MM 134.

The chase continued into Anderson County with a deputy saying traffic was heavy at about MM 125. Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol joined the event at MM 122, the Clinton-Norris Exit. Tucker was believed he might be trying to head north again.

Tucker turned north on a side road near the Clinton Walmart and found his way to Peach Orchard Road and on near the Clinch River on Lovely Bluff Road. The THP called for strip spikes to be placed in front of the Sunoco Gas Station on Cobb Hollow Road near I-75 Exit 128 at Rocky Top. Tucker crossed the strip spikes with his truck sustaining blowouts to three tires.

Even with flat tires, Tucker attempted to reenter I-75 at MM 128 at 4:25am. That’s when a Rocky Top Police Officer was able to make contact with Tucker and place him under arrest.

Tucker, 30, Loop Road, La Follette, remains housed this morning in the Anderson County Jail at Clinton. Charges levied against Tucker include harassment, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, DUI, criminal trespassing and stalking. Tucker is being held without bond.

Information for this story originated from scanner calls and comments from a 911 operator. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/26/2026-6AM)