3 face multiple charges following police pursuit, crash

Published 3:11 pm Monday, July 2, 2018

Two men and one woman face multiple charges following a police pursuit on Sunday.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper J.D. Gregory arrested Laura Watts, 29, of 105 Jay St., Johnson City, Tyler Smith, 26, of 205 Fairridge Road, Johnson City, and Brandon Corbitt, 34, of 1819 Fieldcrest Circle, Johnson City, on Sunday. Gregory charged Watts with violation of the seatbelt law, speeding, felony evading arrest, felony reckless endangerment, possession of stolen property, failure to drive in a lane, stop sign violation, improper passing, red light violation, fifth offense driving on a revoked license, muffler law violation, possession of Schedule II drugs (meth) for resale, possession of Schedule VI drugs (marijuana) for resale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gregory charged Smith with possession of stolen property, possession of Schedule II drugs (meth) for resale, possession of Schedule VI drugs (marijuana) for resale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gregory charged Corbitt with possession of stolen property, possession of Schedule II drugs (meth) for resale, possession of Schedule VI drugs (marijuana) for resale, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, Gregory was on patrol when he saw a vehicle traveling on Highway 400 with a female driver not wearing her seatbelt. He said he also observed the vehicle did not have a muffler. Gregory said he paced the vehicle as traveling at over 45 mph in a 30 mph zone.

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Gregory said he tried to conduct a traffic stop but the driver accelerated and began to flee. A check of the vehicle’s license plate showed the vehicle had been reported stolen in Johnson City.

According to Gregory, the pursuit continued into Bristol where the vehicle eventually struck a house. All of the vehicle occupants were detained at that time, Gregory said.

Officers identified Watts as the driver and Corbitt and Smith as passengers in the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and several items of drug paraphernalia according to court documents.

Watts, Smith, and Corbitt all three appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court on Monday morning and were arraigned on the charges against them.

Bowers set bond for Corbitt and Smith at $7,500 and Watts’ bond at $12,000. All three are scheduled to return to court on July 10.