Women Say Truck Driver Pointed Gun At Them On I-75

  • Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Richard James Sweeney
Richard James Sweeney

A truck driver from St. Ignace, Mi., has been arrested in Chattanooga after two women said he pointed a gun at them while in their vehicles on I-75.

Richard James Sweeney, 64, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In the incident on Friday, Amanda Witt said she followed the vehicle in from Bradley County and saw that it was swerving all over the road.

She said when she tried to pass the truck after going into Hamilton County that the driver picked up a gun with his left hand and held it out the driver's side window in a threatening manner.

She said as she was passing the truck driver swerved across the freeway and hit his brakes, almost coming to a complete stop.

Tonya Green, a cousin of Ms. Witt who was part of a motor pool headed for the Chattanooga Convention Center, said she tried to pass the truck out of concern for the safety of several children in her car. 

She said when she was passing that the truck driver held a gun out the window. She said she yelled at the children in the car to get down. She said the truck driver then slammed on his brakes and swerved in her direction.

Deputies said they stopped the truck near the Bonny Oaks exit. They said he was uncooperative and lay on the ground without moving. They said he had an odor of marijuana and his speech was slowed and slightly slurred.

Deputies had to pick up the driver, Sweeney, and place him in a patrol car. They said he remained combative while he was at the jail being booked.

A loaded 22 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun was found on the dash in front of the steering wheel.

A search of the truck also turned up marijuana stored in a film case, a wooden marijuana pipe and several unopened bottles of liquor and beer.

 

 


Breaking News
Collegedale Proceeding With Airport Improvements
  • 4/22/2025

Improvements to the Collegedale Municipal airport have been made this year and that will be continuing with the approval to proceed with a layout work order that was originally adopted in 2020. ... more

As The 2025 Legislative Session Closes, Governor Lee Applauds Passage Of “Tennessee Innovates” Agenda
  • 4/22/2025

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2025 legislative session, which includes the passage of his $59.5 billion budget that invests in innovative approaches to serving Tennesseans. ... more

BlueCross Employees Fired During COVID Reaching Court Settlement
  • 4/22/2025

A group of employees terminated by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) in 2021, alleging a violation regarding religious discrimination pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and who ... more