Fumes from an illegal methamphetamine lab caused a sheriff’s deputy to suffer injuries while driving two passengers exposed to the lab to a safe location Monday night.

Deputy Mark Gregory and his passengers were decontaminated and treated at Middle Tennessee Medical Center.

Gregory located the man and woman walking on Old Woodbury Highway about 10:15 p.m. The man told Gregory they were around people cooking methamphetamine in a home and later riding in a van with the suspect manufacturing methamphetamine when the driver kicked them out. They told Gregory they did not use any of the illegal drugs.

The deputy was driving the couple to a safe location when both he and the woman experienced illnesses believed related to methamphetamine fumes.

Sgt. Tom Bunch reported the investigation showed the two people were at a home earlier on Old Woodbury Highway where an active methamphetamine lab operated.

“It was said that the lab blew up and the two had become contaminated,” Bunch reported.

Narcotics Detective Sedric Fields decontaminated the area around the house and Murfreesboro Police helped decontaminate vehicles stopped after leaving the house.

Fields and the Felony Arrest Tactical Team searched the home and recovered the residue of a past methamphetamine lab. The suspect was not located. The home was quarantined by Capt. Jason Mathis.

Mathis said detectives talked to the victims at the hospital and identified some suspects but no one has been arrested. He expects charges to be filed.

“When contacted, the Special Enforcement Bureau who is trained in dismantling and disposing of methamphetamine, responded to Middle Tennessee Medical Center,” Mathis said. “Upon arrival, they observed the patrol car was contaminated. They took necessary precautions to decontaminate in hazardous material suits.”

Patrol deputies monitored the house and stopped people leaving the residence. Detectives questioned the renter and numerous people at the house.

The renter gave detectives written consent to search his home.
“We suited up second time and had members of our department who are trained in tactical entries to get in house safely,” Mathis said. “They cleared the house of immediate hazards, dangers and armed suspects.”

Mathis and Fields found two containers with the “shake and bake” method of making methamphetamine.

“One was ready to begin cooking,” Mathis said. “The other showed evidence there had been a recent cook. We were able to burn off and destroy both active labs.”

They contacted the Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force cleaned up the remnants and quarantined the residence. The renter advised he cannot re-enter his home.

Under Tennessee law, if a home is quarantined, it is locked down and warning signs are posted advising no one can enter the residence until a certified hazardous materials crew cleans the residence.

No one can occupy the residence until a “clean bill of health” is issued by a certified hazardous materials team. When this is completed, the quarantine is lifted.

Mathis said he appreciated the sheriff’s patrol deputies who conducted surveillance and stopped people leaving the home. He thanked Murfreesboro Police for helping decontaminate vehicles and stopping people leaving the home.