From the Tazewell Police Department -
On Wednesday morning, September 13, 2023, New Tazewell Police Department observed a motorcycle traveling southbound on Highway 33 near Pizza Plus at speeds well over 100mph. The motorcycle was heading toward the road construction near England Furniture. The unit was unable to get the driver to stop and terminated the pursuit for public safety.
Later that evening around 6:00pm the same motorcycle with the operator later identified as Johnathan Blake Pressnell, was observed heading toward Tazewell driving in the same reckless manner. Again, a New Tazewell Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop and the operator continued to evade driving recklessly. Pressnell eventually made his way into Tazewell traveling onto Old Knoxville Rd. by Claiborne Medical Center.
Still being pursued by New Tazewell units, Pressnell encountered Tazewell Police Department officers on Main Street in Tazewell reaching speeds of well over 100mph on Main Street in front of the Claiborne County Courthouse and Tazewell City Hall.
Tazewell Police Department officers Lt. Detective Josh Fields, Ptl. Jeff Green, and Ptl. Jacob Melton attempted to stop him as he fled northbound on U.S. Highway 25E reaching speeds of 153 mph, but Pressnell continued to turn around and taunt law enforcement. He then attempted a head on collision on Dogwood Heights Drive with Lt. Fields, Officer Green, and Officer Melton, nearly striking all three.
Pressnell continued back onto 25e into Harrogate where he traveled on Londonderry Road then onto Highway 63 where Tazewell units terminated the pursuit for public safety after getting close enough to obtain a tag number. Claiborne E-911 notified Tennessee Highway Patrol and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and Pressnell was eventually stopped in Lafollette, arrested, and transported back to Claiborne County by Tazewell Police.
Johnathan Blake Pressnell of Tazewell was lodged in the Claiborne County Jail charged with;
Felony Evading Arrest x2 (Motor Vehicle)
Aggravated Assault x3 (Police Officer)
Driving on Suspended License x2
Financial Responsibility x2
Reckless Driving x2
Run Stop Sign x3
Failure to exercise Due Care
Expired Registration
Pressnell was arraigned on Thursday, September 14, 2023, by Claiborne County General Session’s Judge Honorable Robert Estep today and given a $250,000.00 bond.
*All individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, this is merely a record of arrest.*
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