KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man is facing multiple charges after running away from Knoxville officers and crashing into a car in South Knoxville on Sunday afternoon, according to the Knoxville Police Department.
At around 5:15 p.m., KPD responded to a report of a "suspicious silver van" in the parking lot of the Executive Inn on Chapman Highway. That's where they found Jerad Morrell and a woman, identified as Stephanie Epperson, 35, in the van.
Morrell and Epperson told the officers that a gun was in the van but that they did not know where it was. The officers then asked for them to step out of the car.
KPD said Epperson complied but Morrell refused.
After a brief struggle with the officers, Morell moved to the driver's seat of the van, put it in reverse and drove away, almost striking one of the officers.
According to Knoxville Police, assisting officers in the area arrived, saw the van and tried to stop it. But the van did not stop and officers pursued it as he sped away south on Chapman Highway.
A short time later, KPD called off the pursuit but Morrell continued south before crashing into another car at the Stone Road intersection, KPD said. The driver was taken to the UT Medical Center, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
After the crash, Morrell drove the van a little further before running from it. Officers eventually caught him on foot.
A KPD officer was treated at an area hospital for injuries from the foot pursuit, according to KPD.
KPD found a loaded handgun, suspected cocaine and approximately 18 computers and cellphones after searching Morrell's van.
Morrell was charged with schedule II drugs, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and felony evading arrest, among other charges, according to KPD. Epperson was charged with schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
