In some respects, one might consider that the least of the worries for a 17-year-old Knoxville teen are the allegations of driving under the influence he is facing. Granted, the accusations are being leveled by authorities in both Tennessee and Kentucky, but it is the range of charges he is facing in both states that raises serious concerns about his future.
The array of felony and other criminal charges he is dealing with stem from incidents that occurred Saturday night June 8. According to the combined reports from authorities, things started at about 10:15 when a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper reported seeing a heavy-duty pickup truck go off the road on Interstate 75 in Campbell County.
As the officer approached the vehicle and called to the driver, he says the vehicle sped off. What followed was a chase that went across the border into Kentucky. Authorities in both states participated.
The chase came to a close in dramatic fashion. The truck crashed through the entrance of a Kentucky produce store and police say that when the driver attempted to get away again by running them down, they shot out the rear tires of his vehicle. They said it was either that or shoot the driver.
One officer suffered a minor injury in the process of the arrest. The youth who was driving also suffered somewhat in the crash, as well.
As a result of these events, the 17-year-old Knoxville youth is said to be facing juvenile counts of attempted murder, criminal mischief, first-degree wanton endangerment, evading authorities, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and driving without a proper license. That's just in Kentucky.
In Tennessee, he has been booked on suspicion of felony evading, DUI, driving without proper license, reckless endangerment, speeding and more.
There is no information available at the time this is written about what might have sparked these events. It is not clear when formal charges might be filed in Kentucky. The youth is scheduled to be arraigned in Tennessee next week.
Source: The News Journal, "Teen who allegedly tried to kill officers following chase was drunk, had no license," Mark White, June 12, 2013
