Gibson County High Speed Chase Ends in McKenzie

McKENZIE (May 28) — McKenzie Police and Carroll County Sheriff’s Officers were on scene in front of Servall in McKenzie on Tuesday as a two-county high speed chase between Gibson and Carroll Counties rolled to a halt in front of the business located on Highland Drive/TN-Highway 79.

At approximately 1:12 p.m., McKenzie Police Lieutenant Justin Brister responded to the southern city limits of McKenzie on Highway 79 in regards to a black Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that had evaded Gibson County Sheriff’s Office last seen on Highway 79 driving towards McKenzie. While en route to Highway 79, Lt. Brister was advised that Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies had spotted the vehicle passing in a no passing zone between Trezevant and McKenzie on Highway 79 still traveling towards McKenzie. While other McKenzie officers were directed to prepare to hold traffic at the intersections on Highland Drive, Lt. Brister arrived on Highway 79 off of Hamilton Street and continued traveling towards Trezevant to assist deputies and give accurate location information to officers trying to safely hold traffic at the upcoming intersections in the city. Lt. Brister observed the fleeing SUV exiting Trezevant bottom on Highway 79 as it swerved around a set of spike strips deployed by Inv. Sawyers with CCSO. Lt. Brister turned around and initiated emergency lights and sirens, joining CCSO deputies in pursuit of the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as Christopher Allen Freeman, of Paris was traveling in excess of 100 m.p.h. during the pursuit. Sgt. Beauchamp deployed his spike strip near The Waters of McKenzie as the vehicle entered McKenzie’s Southern city limits on Highway 79. Freeman swerved into the middle turning lane to avoid the spike strip at approximately 90 m.p.h. as he almost lost control of the SUV. Freeman began slowing down near Gaylon Melton’s Auto Shop on Highland Drive as he drove through the parking lot of the automotive shop, the parking lot of Verizon and slowly rolled to a stop in the Servall parking lot on Highland Drive. Freeman exited the driver’s side door of the vehicle and began walking towards Lt. Brister’s patrol vehicle. Lt. Brister drew his service pistol from its holster and began shouting at Freeman to show his hands and get down on the ground. Freeman did not get on the ground and was forcefully taken to the ground by CCSO Deputy Davis. Lt. Brister and Deputy Davis were attempting to handcuff Freeman on the ground as Freeman continued to resist commands. At one point during the struggle, Freeman attempted to roll from his stomach to his back to face officers. As Freeman was doing so, Lt. Brister noticed Freeman clinch his hands into fists while he began to face officers. Fearing that Freeman was about to strike him or another officer on top of Freeman, Lt. Brister struck Freeman in the face with a closed fist.

Eventually, Freeman was placed into handcuffs and continued to resist being searched and officers had to forcefully place Freeman into a patrol unit. CCSO towed Freeman’s vehicle and transported Freeman to Carroll County Jail as they also charged Freeman with Evading and other charges. Lt. Brister charged Freeman with resisting arrest after being the primary officer that was involved in the initial struggle with Freeman and using closed hand force to subdue the suspect. Freeman’s bond for resisting arrest was set at $15,000 by Judge King. This incident occurred within the city limits of McKenzie in Carroll County, Tennessee.