NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Rutherford County teenager from Smyrna was arrested over the weekend after allegedly driving directly toward a Metro Nashville Police officer and his K-9 partner during an incident tied to Nashville’s Street Racer Initiative.

According to Metro Police, the 15-year-old was charged in Juvenile Court on Sunday with aggravated assault on a first responder and evading arrest. The incident unfolded late Saturday night on Autumn Ridge Drive, a roadway located off Brick Church Pike in north Nashville.

The preliminary investigation indicates Officer Mario Diaz and his police dog, Kyro, were working as part of the department’s Street Racer Initiative in the South Precinct when a gray Nissan Maxima fled from an attempted traffic stop. The vehicle was later spotted in the area of Brick Church Pike.

Police said Officer Diaz saw three occupants get out of the Maxima. Two of them reportedly ran toward a nearby wooded area. Investigators said the driver then returned to the vehicle and began accelerating toward Officer Diaz and K-9 Kyro while the officer was giving commands to stop.

Officer Diaz, fearing for his safety and the safety of his K-9 partner, fired at the Maxima, according to police. The vehicle then stopped, and the 15-year-old driver from Smyrna was removed from the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Authorities searched the wooded area for the other two occupants of the Maxima but were unable to locate them. Metro Police said the Smyrna teen did not provide information about the other individuals during an interview with detectives. The case remains under active investigation.

The arrest brings a Rutherford County connection to an ongoing Nashville enforcement effort aimed at street racing and related reckless driving activity. Metro Police have continued to target vehicles and drivers connected to dangerous driving complaints across the city, including areas where drivers attempt to flee from traffic stops.

• Photo of Metro Officer Mario Diaz and his K-9 partner Kyro, above this article was originally posted to K9-Creed Facebook page.

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