From the Pickett County Sheriff’s Office:

On April 3, 2025 at approximately 1210 the Pickett County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival at the scene, it was determined the subject had fled the scene of the accident. Upon Officers approaching the vehicle, there was an odor consistent with Marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

When Deputies opened the driver door of the vehicle a small bag of crystal-like substance consistent with Methamphetamine weighing more than 1/2 a gram, a glass pipe was located which consisted of a substance that field tested positive for heroin, a loaded syringe, and multiple other items consistent with drug paraphernalia was located in the vehicle. After further investigation, the subject had been picked up and dropped off at another location. Ryan Dakota Harding (25) of Pikeville, TN was located at a residence on Woodlawn Drive later in the day, where he was ultimately taken into custody.

Mr. Harding was charged with 55-10-102 Leaving the Scene of an Accident, 39-17-425 Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, 39-17-417 Manufacture, Sell, or Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance Methamphetamine, 39-17-418 Simple Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance Heroin, and 55-50-504 Driving on Suspended, Cancelled, or Revoked License. Chief Deputy Steve Wilber, Detective Chris Beaty, and Deputy James Hammock were involved with this case.