Benny Wayne Simmons
Corey James Bowman
Shane Massengale
Timmy Joe Hampton
A pursuit by the Tennessee Highway Patrol that started at the Highway 153 and I-75 intersection ended with a crash involving a police cruiser on Highway 11 at Cummings Highway and the arrest of four persons.
According to affidavits filed by Sgt. Scott Lewis of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, at 3 a.m. on Friday, he was attempting to stop a black Chevrolet Avalanche for reckless driving and a light law violation. The vehicle refused to stop after he activated all of his emergency equipment. The vehicle then began driving erratically.
Sgt. Lewis stated during the pursuit of the vehicle the occupants threw objects that were believed to be drug related.
He said the vehicle came extremely close to striking a police officer, who was attempting to deploy spike strips.
The driver, who was identified by THP as Benny Wayne Simmons, 32, of a Trenton, Ga., address, continued to attempt to evade after the vehicle crashed. He tried to strike some of the officers with the vehicle. At that point they forcibly removed Simmons from the vehicle.
Simmons was charged with DUI, felonious evading arrest, aggravated assault, felony reckless endangerment, possession of Schedule II drugs (Meth), resisting arrest, possession of Schedule III drugs (heroin), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on suspended license, driving with possession of Methamphetamine, along with numerous traffic charges including failure to yield to emergency vehicles.
Also arrested were passengers in the vehicle:
Shane Massengale 31, of 3420 Harris Lane, Chattanooga – Possession of Schedule II, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no seat belt.
Timmy Joe Hampton, 23 of Scottsboro, Ala. – Possession of Schedule II, drug paraphernalia and no seat belt
Corey James Bowman, 31, of Chattanooga – Possession of Schedule II, drug paraphernalia and seat belt law.