A recently released police report details a high-speed police chase across multiple counties ended in a severe multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 earlier this month, leaving a suspect airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries.

According to an incident report from the Crossville Police Department, Patrol Officer Nathan Ramson initiated the pursuit shortly after 4:00 a.m. after spotting a black pickup truck driving on the grassy shoulder near the Pilot Travel Center on Crabtree Road. Upon entering the roadway, the vehicle failed to maintain its lane and accelerated at a high rate of speed.

Suspecting the driver was under the influence, Officer Ramson received authorization from Supervisor Sergeant Chrystal Massey to pursue the vehicle.

Police report that the driver—later identified as Dustin Core—led authorities on a dangerous chase, reaching speeds between 80 and 120 mph. Core swerved through traffic, ran red lights across the Genesis Road interstate bridge, continuously slammed his brakes, and forced numerous motorists onto the shoulder to avoid collisions.

As the pursuit moved westbound on Interstate 40, officers successfully deployed a spike strip near Exit 273. Despite taking heavy damage to his tires, Core continued fleeing on shreds and bare rims at speeds near 100 mph for another six miles.

The chase came to a dramatic halt near mile marker 267 near the rest area when Core’s pickup truck struck a curb, sending the vehicle out of control. The truck slammed into a commercial flatbed tractor-trailer and collided with another commercial vehicle.

First responders arrived on scene to find Core trapped inside the crushed driver’s compartment with severe injuries to his head and legs. Smith County Fire and Rescue utilized hydraulic rescue tools to cut off the truck’s roof to extricate him. An Emergency Medical Responder with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office rendered immediate aid on scene to control heavy bleeding.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Core was classified as a high-priority patient and flown via medical helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Trooper Holmes assumed charge of the crash investigation. Investigators seized a dash camera from Core’s pickup truck at the scene, and a search warrant is being secured to review its contents. Additionally, officers are requesting a subpoena for Core’s medical blood samples to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident.

Police noted that Core will face service on four outstanding arrest warrants from the Crossville Police Department immediately upon his release from the hospital, with additional criminal charges pending the outcome of the dash camera analysis and crash investigation. Neither of the commercial drivers involved required medical transport or towing services.