JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Derek L. Overbay will spend four years behind bars for leading police on a 12-mile chase that ended with an accident and him pinned upside down in a car.

He appeared in criminal court Monday where he pled guilty to evading arrest, two counts of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of aggravated assault on a first responder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Overbay was denied alternative sentencing meaning he will go to jail, according to court records.

Overbay will serve his sentences concurrently but will serve 100 percent of four years for the aggravated assault on a first responder and aggravated assault.

In January 2024, police responded to a possible drunk driver on Highway 63.

Campbell County Deputy Grant Cole’s first encounter with Overbay, who was driving a 2005 silver Honda Accord, was when the Honda allegedly crossed over into Cole’s lane near Miller’s Bridge. The cruiser was headed east while Overbay was driving towards LaFollette.

Deputy Cole turned around, and when he caught up with the Honda, he allegedly saw Overbay cross into oncoming traffic almost hitting an oncoming car. Overbay kept driving then suddenly stopped in the middle of the road at Henegar Lane. The Honda then took off and accelerated to excessive speeds, the report said. As they passed Judy’s Grocery, the Honda over corrected and completely turned around in the eastbound lane going in reverse toward an oncoming pick-up truck. The Honda, still out of control, struck the truck and then came to a rest in the front yard of a home on the corner of Brown Crest Road about a 100 yards east of the Fincastle Church, according to the report

Deputy Cole spoke to Overbay, who allegedly appeared to be very disoriented. Overbay became agitated and cursed at the deputy saying, “I’m not going to jail, you will have to kill me,” according to the report. The report also said a cooler of beer was seen in the car, and that one beer in the console was open.

As Deputy Cole tried to talk with Overbay, he allegedly pulled a knife and lunged through the window of the Honda toward the deputy. Deputy Cole jumped back and drew his weapon. Sgt. Justin Phillips arrived, and the confrontation with Overbay continued until he drove off  and had to be pursued by the officers.

Sgt. Phillips, in the lead cruiser, followed Overbay east on Old Hwy 63 into Claiborne County where Overbay turned his car around at the Cawood Methodist Church and Back Valley Road heading back toward La Follette. Overbay allegedly drove the Honda into oncoming traffic, almost hitting the sergeant’s patrol car.

Meanwhile, further west,Deputy Cole turned off Old Hwy 63 onto Seal Drive. He positioned his car to block a section of Old Highway 63 as Overbay was heading toward Seal Drive. Deputy Cole then radioed Overbay had crashed, flipping his car on its top and pinning himself inside, the report said.

Authorities from Claiborne County also responded to the scene. A landing zone was set up near the accident for a Kentucky medical helicopter to land and transport Overbay to a Knoxville hospital.

Overbay remains housed in the Campbell County Jail on a $100,000 secure bond. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 4/30/2025-6AM)

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