A routine road rage investigation on August 21, 2026, quickly escalated into a felony arrest after a local driver allegedly pointed a handgun at another motorist and later discarded the weapon as police approached.

Crossville Police Department officers responded to the area of Northside Drive following reports of a road rage incident involving a white Hyundai Palisade and a black Range Rover. According to police reports, responding officers tracked the vehicles toward Highway 70 North before locating the white SUV near Northside Lane.

The driver, identified as James Atkinson, was pulled over and detained by responding officers. When questioned about a firearm for safety purposes, Atkinson admitted to throwing a handgun out of the passenger window before law enforcement arrived, reportedly stating, “I screwed myself.”

Officers recovered a tan semi-automatic .22LR handgun containing cartridges in a grassy area near a gated gravel drive where Atkinson had turned.

Meanwhile, Patrolman Partridge took a statement from the victim who reported that Atkinson had pointed a handgun at him while both men were driving on Northside Drive. Investigators noted that Atkinson followed the victim during the incident and made no attempt to contact authorities.

Atkinson was arrested for Aggravated Assault and transported to the Cumberland County Justice Center.