Man In Long Police Chase With 4-Year-Old Daughter Unrestrained In Front Seat; She Is Injured When Vehicle Wrecks At Ridge Cut

  • Thursday, January 19, 2017
James Michael Farris
James Michael Farris

Police chased a Chickamauga, Ga., man from Fort Oglethorpe to the Ridge Cut in Chattanooga, then learned after his vehicle crashed that his four-year-old daughter was in the front seat unrestrained.

Police said the girl was bleeding on her face and body from lacerations suffered during the wreck and the deployment of the air bag.

James Michael Farris, 22, of 152 Brock Road, Chickamauga, is facing multiple charges. They include reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, child neglect, aggravated child abuse or neglect and evading arrest.

The chase began on Tuesday night when a Fort Oglethorpe officer said Farris had tried to run over him.

A city officer said he approached the wrecked vehicle and saw other officers chasing the driver of the wrecked vehicle. The officer said he dropped down an embankment and confronted the man, who put his hands in his waistband, took an aggressive stance, and said the officer was going to have to shoot him because "I'm not going to jail."

He said the man refused to give himself up and began running toward, again saying he was going to have to shoot him. The officer said he used his taser on the man so that other officers were able to handcuff him.

The mother of the child was called and she came to the scene. She retrieved the child after a medic had treated her.

The officer said Farris later told him that he had run because he was afraid police were going to take his daughter away from him.

Latest Headlines
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/19/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: AWOLOWO, APRIL 105 EUCLID STREET ATHENS, 373030000 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OVER $1000 BARNETT, ... more

Senator Colton Moore Challenger Hits "An Incumbent Bent On Self-Promotion Instead Of Humble Leadership"
  • 3/18/2024

Angela Pence, a Chickamauga resident who is making a race against 53rd District Senator Colton Moore, said she aims to bring principled, effective leadership "to a district that has gone unheard ... more

Wamp Pushing For Tighter Local Lobbying Rules, Tax Abatement Policies; Bigger Share Of Sales Tax
  • 3/18/2024

County Mayor Weston Wamp spoke to the Pachyderm Club on Monday about the significance of a state basketball title, the need for local lobbying regulations and tightening up on tax abatement policies. ... more