A busy 5am hour for Caryville Police Tuesday at Exit 141

PIONEER, TN (WLAF)- The area around the TA Travel Center at I-75 Exit 141 was the center of activity for about an hour on Tuesday morning.

The first call the Central Dispatch was about a man and a woman reportedly harassing customers at Pilot Travel Center. When Caryville Police Officer Therman Pearson arrived on scene, the couple was located across the road at TA Travel Center.

Officer Pearson described the male subject as unsteady on his feet having slurred speech. A check through Central Dispatch alerted the officer that the suspect, 35-year old Chris Smith, address not available, had active warrants out of Knox County and South Carolina.

Pearson outlined in his arrest report that Smith was manifestly under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, and, as a result, placed him under arrest at 5am.

Smith was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, violation of order of protection and a hold for another agency. The woman was not charged.

The second call to 911 was for a semi-truck versus a mini-van accident a little before 5:30am Tuesday. Howard Baker Highway (Hwy 63) in front of the TA Travel Center was shutdown for about half an hour due to the wreck with injury.

The woman behind the wheel of the van had to be extricated by firefighters with the Caryville Volunteer Fire Department, and she was then transported to the La Follette Medical Center by Campbell EMS.

Also responding were the THP and Sheriff’s Office. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/13/2026-6AM-PHOTO COURTESY OF CVFD CHIEF EDDIE HATMAKER)