The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Knox County Sheriff’s Office this afternoon in a vehicle pursuit that ended on Interstate 75 in Sweetwater, resulting in the arrest of Mista Julius McCary.

The pursuit began earlier in the day near the 407 exit in Sevierville. Knox County Sheriff’s Office Air Watch also assisted from the air, helping deputies and officers track the vehicle as it moved through multiple jurisdictions. Loudon County deputies positioned themselves along I-75 and joined the pursuit with Knox County deputies around the 78-mile marker. The driver of a silver Nissan Altima, later identified as McCary, exited the interstate at the Sugarlimb exit. While on Sugarlimb Road, a deputy with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office attempted a PIT maneuver in an effort to safely stop the vehicle. McCary was able to avoid the maneuver and re-entered I-75 southbound, where the pursuit continued.

While crossing the Tennessee River bridge, McCary threw a large bag believed to contain narcotics from the vehicle into the river. The pursuit continued into Monroe County, where officers with the Sweetwater Police Department successfully deployed spike strips near Exit 62. The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Exit 60, where McCary and a passenger surrendered without further incident and were safely taken into custody. As deputies were taking both individuals into custody, the brush surrounding the vehicle caught fire. Deputies and assisting officers quickly responded, and the fire was safely extinguished.

Loudon County deputies remained at the Tennessee River bridge and were able to locate the bag floating in the water. Officers maintained visual contact until an agent with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, along with a Loudon County Sheriff’s Office deputy, recovered the bag for evidence.

McCary was arrested on charges of simple possession/casual exchange, reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest, tampering with or fabricating evidence, driving on a revoked or suspended license, and two counts of manufacture, sell, or delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance

Sheriff Jimmy Davis said the incident shows how important teamwork is between agencies. “This was a dangerous situation that involved several jurisdictions, and because of the communication and coordination between our deputies and our partner agencies, it ended safely. I am proud of the work that everyone involved did.”