Dustin Draughon
Dustin Wade Draughon is facing multiple charges after leading police on a chase that included ramming a county patrol vehicle. Some 15 police vehicles were involved in the chase.
Draughon, 34, is charged with failure to maintain lane, traffic control signals violation, evading arrest, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, kidnapping, drug violations, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, two counts of theft of property and a registration violation.
On Sunday night, at approximately 11:45 p.m., a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy witnessed a vehicle run a red light on Highway 153. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle at which time the vehicle fled.
While driving in a parking lot of a business, the passenger attempted to exit the vehicle, but was pulled back into the vehicle.The deputy pursued the vehicle north on Dayton Pike at which time Soddy Daisy Police Department officers joined in the pursuit.
The driver of the vehicle evaded several attempts made by deputies throughout the pursuit to stop the vehicle. Soddy Daisy Police attempted to spike-strip the vehicle without success. Due to safety concerns, the pursuit was terminated.
The vehicle was then spotted by Red Bank Police a few minutes later at which time they attempted to pursue the vehicle. The pursuit then continued on I-75 north where Sheriff deputies rejoined the pursuit. The deputies were eventually able to stop the vehicle after the vehicle rammed a patrol unit.
At that time, the driver exited the vehicle and deputies pursued him on foot for approximately 100 yards. The female passenger remained at the vehicle.
Upon further investigation, deputies found that the vehicle had a stolen tag.The driver of the vehicle, Draughon, was found to have a revoked driver’s license for DUI and a warrant for auto theft.
The passenger, Brandice Cox, being an unwilling participant and not having any warrants, was released at the scene. She told police she tried to get out of the vehicle in the parking lot of Planet Fitness, but he grabbed the sleeve of her blouse and pulled her back in.
A bag containing 11 grams of meth was found in Draughon's pocket. A meth pipe was in the center console.
The vehicle and the tag on it were both stolen, police said. A woman told police on Jan. 22 that she let Draughon borrow her car and he never returned it. The man whose tag was on the vehicle said he did not know it had been stolen.
Deputies transported Draughon to the Hamilton County Jail where he was booked on numerous charges. His license had been revoked for a prior DUI.