The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a pursuit and crash which also involved a Murfreesboro Police officer being dragged.
Murfreesboro Police Sergeant Kyle Evans tells NewsRadio WGNS that at 11:37 Friday morning (2/13/2015), officers conducted a routine traffic stop on Hancock Street near State Street.
MPD Officer Slater Drug 20-Feet
Evans noted that while Murfreesboro Police Officer Allen Slater was attempting to speak with the driver of the 2000 Cadillac, the suspect decided to flea. In fact, Officer Slater was caught by the speeding vehicle and drug approximately 20-feet.
Officer Jeremy Sanford and Officer Reginal Primas pursued the suspect vehicle. They were assisted by Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Corporal David Alford. That pursuit was eastbound on the Manchester Pike.
Caddy Slams Head-On Into Dump Truck
Tennessee Highway Patrol's Dalya Qualls told NewsRadio WGNS that as the Cadillac attempted turn from the Manchester Pike onto Joe B. Jackson Parkway that it slammed head-on into a dump truck.
Murfreesboro Police Sergant Evans adds that 18-year old Christopher Norman of Murfreesboro fled the crash scene on foot, but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
The dump truck was driven by 36-year old Dustin Armstrong of McMinnville. He was not injured in the crash. According to the Highway Patrol's accident report, both men in the dump truck were wearing their seatbelts. It is not known whether or not Armstrong was belted while driving the Cadillac.
Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services transported 61-year old Johnny Ledbetter from Rock Island to the ER at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was a passenger in the dump truck, and received non life threatening injuries.
Armstrong reportedly was not injured in the dump truck crash, and Officer Allen Slater was not injured while being dragged by the fleeing Cadillac.
Charges
18-year old Christopher Norman of Reid Avenue here in Murfreesboro was booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on charges of aggravated assault, evading arrest, resisting arrest, reckless driving, possession of a schedule 6 drug, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
