The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
18-Year Old Maryville Man Arrested After Fleeing Deputies
On Saturday morning at 7 a.m. the deputy was patrolling the area of Bays Mountain Road when he saw a silver Chevrolet Cobalt traveling on Martin Mill Pike. When the driver of the vehicle saw the deputy, the sheriff's office said, he accelerated.
The deputy got behind the Chevrolet while the driver continued to travel at a high rate of speed as he turned onto Nails Creek Road and into oncoming traffic. The driver continued to flee from the deputy, despite the deputy's use of emergency equipment, until he lost control of the Chevrolet and hit an embankment.
The driver then exited the car and fled on foot through a field. A male passenger in the Chevrolet climbed through the window and attempted to run as well, but stopped at the deputy's commands.
According to the sheriff's office, the deputy continued to pursue the driver and apprehended him about fifty yards from the vehicle.
He observed a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, blood shot eyes and unsteadiness in the driver, identified as Rutherford.
A search of the suspect yielded a loaded handgun, one and a half pounds of marijuana separated into four baggies and more than $200 in cash.
Rutherford is being held in the Blount County Correctional Facility on bonds totaling $41,750 pending a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. on May 23.
A 17-year-old male was also charged with delinquent by evading arrest and is being held at Blount County Juvenile pending a hearing in Juvenile Court.
