Police chase leads to arrest for DUI and various charges

Published 12:06 pm Tuesday, July 5, 2022

On July 1, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Andrew Whitson of Jonesborough and charged him with failure to maintain control, speeding, felony evading, DUI (third offense), leaving the scene of an accident, refusing to submit to a DUI test, and failure to comply with driver’s license restrictions.

While traveling on N. Roan St., an officer observed a U-haul Chevrolet Silverado pull onto N. Roan from a parking lot. While traveling on N. Roan, the officer observed various indicators that the driver was possibly impaired. A traffic stop was conducted and officers made contact with Whitson. The officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from Whitson’s breath and observed several signs of impairment. When asked to exit the truck, he fled from the area at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to locate the U-haul truck a short time later, disabled on Knob Creek Road, after apparently striking two utility poles.

Whitson attempted to flee the area on foot but was apprehended near the crash location.

Whitson was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of a bond hearing. An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County General Sessions Court.