La Follette Police safely make arrest of suspected DUI driver after seven minute pursuit

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- La Follette Police Officer Justin Painter called out the play-by-play of his pursuit of a speeding vehicle over the police radio early Thursday morning. “Westbound past South Avenue at 83 miles per hour,” said Painter at 3:30am.

The officer was posted on radar patrol on West Central Avenue in the parking lot of the former Lyons’ Trading Center when a speeding red Durango was clocked passing the 13th Street intersection at more than 80 MPH, according to LPD Chief Matthew Forsyth. “From there, Officer Painter engaged in a pursuit after the driver refused to stop,” said Chief Forsyth.

Painter’s radio call went like this, “passing Krome at 115 mph, he’s all over the road and in the median, 72 mph (at 3:32am) passing the Shell (gas station), 95 mph going by Peoples Bank (of the South Mall Branch), traffic conditions are clear, 110 mph past Taco Bell, now passing Charley’s Pizza, we’re at 94 mph going by Eagle Market (3:34am), 91 mph by Longmire Realty (a reference point that’s off the four lane up on the old road-25W), he’s going 98 to 115mph is failing to maintain lane, all over the road, passing Elkins Road (3:35am), we’re still headed west passing Ridge Road, he’s turning onto 116 (Hwy 116), he’s hit his brakes on me here at the motel (3:36am), he’s hit my unit, headed back eastbound, he’s pulled into the pawn shop.”

At 3:37am, the suspect, Mark Comer, was taken into custody.

“The officer is saying that the Durango left 116, went up a driveway, some how maneuvered and came back down striking the police cruiser, and they ended up at the nearby pawn shop,” said Forsyth. The suspect ran and was found hiding behind the pawn shop, according to the chief.

Comer was by himself except for the dog he had with him. The dog was said to be OK, and Comer’s family came to the scene and picked up the dog.

Comer, 44, of La Follette, was charged with DUI, evading arrest, felony evading arrest, reckless driving, speeding (89 mph in a 40 mph zone), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (SUV). (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/28/2025-6AM)

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