Frankie Parsons
A car crashed into the Apison Tornado Memorial and flagpole early Tuesday morning, causing significant damage to the memorial site at 10200 East Brainerd Road.
Authorities said the damage was caused by a silver Acura RS6, driven by Frankie Clarence Parsons, 22, of 10278 Loma Cita Lane, Ooltewah.
Jesse Morris, 21, of 1252 Grand Center Road, Chickamauga, Ga., was a passenger in the vehicle that wrecked at 12:15 a.m.
Upon arrival, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies found both Parsons and Morris complaining of painful breathing. Hamilton County EMS was called to render medical aid, but both parties refused transport to the hospital.
Upon further review, deputies found that the vehicle in question matched the description of a vehicle involved in a prior accident earlier in the night in Catoosa County, Ga., where it allegedly fled the scene after destroying a fence and driving through private property.
Deputies smelled a strong odor of alcohol and a sobriety test was performed. The driver, Parsons, failed the sobriety test and was taken into custody for DUI. Deputies arrested Morris for possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Marijuana was also found in possession of Morris. The firearm is suspected to be stolen.
Both Parsons and Morris were taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail. More charges could be pending depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Trustee Bill Hullander said citizens raised the money for the memorial, which he said cost over $20,000.
He said the memorial was broken into several pieces and could not be repaired.
Mr. Hullander said the citizen group will reconvene to insure that the memorial is rebuilt. He said, "We will be looking first to any insurance the driver had."
Jesse Morris