SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE: An East Tennessee man who Sevierville police say led them on a reckless chase through busy traffic Thursday night faces multiple charges including multiple counts of aggravated assault and a kidnapping count.
The driver was identified Friday morning as Joseph Lewis Jr., 30, of Bybee, Tenn., in Cocke County.
He was taken Thursday night to University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of injuries that didn't appear to be life-threatening.
According to city of Sevierville spokesman Bob Stahlke, Lewis will be prosecuted for shoplifting, eight count of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, multiple traffic offenses, three counts of leaving the scene of an accident and driving without insurance and while having a revoked licensed.
He struck several motorists and Sevierville police cruisers, according to authorities. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the traffic crashes.
The incident began about 5:45 p.m. with a report of a shoplifting at the Walmart Supercenter on the Parkway.
Police saw Lewis get into a vehicle. He backed up, nearly hitting pedestrians and striking several vehicles. A female jumped out and Lewis then accelerated forward, striking a Sevierville police car and driving away.
As police followed, Stahlke said, he hit another vehicle near Park Road. When officers tried to stop him he collided with the cruiser. The officer went to LeConte Medical Center for evaluation and was released.
As Lewis drove on, according to authorities, he hit another patrol car. He sped east on Dolly Parton Parkway and ultimately crashed into a pickup and an SUV near Food City, 741 Dolly Parton Parkway.
Lewis was flown by helicopter from the scene for medical treatment.
A person in the SUV was taken to LeConte Medical for what appeared to be minor injuries, according to Stahlke.
The kidnapping count against Lewis stems from the woman who jumped out of his vehicle in the parking lot.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Sevierville Police Department said two people were injured after a shoplifting suspect crashed into several vehicles during a chase on the Dolly Parton Parkway.
According to Bob Stahlke with the city of Sevierville, police responded to a shoplifting call at the Walmart Supercenter around 6 p.m.
Police said witnesses told them the suspect hit several cars and nearly hit several pedestrians as they tried to stop him.
Stahlke said the chase continued eastbound along the parkway, where the suspect eventually collided with an SUV.
The person in the SUV was taken to LeConte Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Stahlke said LIFESTAR flew the suspect to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and their condition is unknown.
Stahlke said at least two police cars were also involved in the wreck. The Dolly Parton Parkway was closed between Robert Henderson Road and Middle Creek until 9:30 p.m.