Hamilton County, TN - On Sunday night, February 8, 2016, while working the Super Bowl Weekend RIID Saturation, HCSO Deputies observed a Nissan Maxima driving near the 2800 block of McCallie Avenue after which it proceeded to enter the Brainerd Tunnel the wrong way. Deputies immediately tried to stop the vehicle. The driver did not comply and a pursuit ensued which continued down Brainerd Road onto Lee Highway.

As the pursuit continued, the driver, 33 year old Jered M. Shoemate, began driving recklessly directly towards sheriff's deputies and patrol vehicles that were protecting the intersections for other drivers. In another attempt to stop the vehicle, deputies deployed spike strips and shortly after crossing the spikes, the driver did intentionally strike a sheriff’s vehicle.

Shoemate was arrested by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for DUI. He was arrested by the HCSO for (2) counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on police, felony reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest, driving left of the center line, and resisting arrest when taken into custody. At the time of arrest, it was also found that Shoemate had an existing felony warrant for theft over $500 in Sequatchie County.

The subject was transported to Erlanger Hospital via HCEMS for medical clearance before being taken to the Hamilton County Jail.

The RIID Grant is funded by the Governor's Highway Safety Office. This unique and valuable grant gives the HCSO the opportunity to use additional federal funds to support traffic enforcement operations for the sole purpose of removing impaired and/or intoxicated drivers from our roads in order to protect our community from senseless and fatal crashes that may occur as a result of alcohol or drug impairment. The HCSO was recently awarded the RIID Grant for the 10th year in a row (Original Release Attached).

This incident is still under investigation and therefore no further information will be released at this time.

HCSO Personnel will be available for limited comment today regarding this incident. For appointments or inquiries, please contact Matt Lea at 423-994-3756.