A police pursuit that began in the Anderson County portion of Oliver Springs Thursday evening ended in Roane County when the pursuing officer forced the fleeing suspect off the road. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., agents with the 7th Judicial District Crime Task Force arranged for Sherry Baker to deliver a quarter ounce of meth to the parking lot of Food City in Oliver Springs to an undercover agent.

Upon arrival, agents apprehended Baker; however, the driver, 39-year-old Eddie Kilby of Sunbright, and another passenger, Charles Kimblin, maneuvered around agents and fled the scene. Oliver Springs police initiated a pursuit, aided by Morgan, Cumberland and Roane County deputies, and the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force.

The chase continued into Morgan County near Oakdale, where Kilby attempted to run an OSPD vehicle off the road by ramming it; the chase continued into Roane County on Interstate 40 eastbound.

Captain David Laxton of the Oliver Springs Police Department eventually ended the pursuit near Kingston by striking Kilby’s Ford Focus, forcing it off the road and into an embankment. No one was injured. The meth that was to be sold to the undercover agent was recovered.

The three suspects were charged with manufacture, delivery, sale or possession of a Schedule II substance, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault and various traffic violations. Kilby was additionally charged with driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, violating the seat-belt law and not having insurance. Other charges could be pending against Kilby and Kimblin.

Chief Kenny Morgan of the Oliver Springs Police Department noted, “The inter-agency cooperation to safely apprehend all the suspects involved was outstanding. Everyone involved performed exceptionally.”

The 7th Judicial Crime Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprising the 7th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs and Rocky Top Police departments. The Crime Task Force focuses on drug and violent crime and is currently led by Director Simon Byrne.

Thanks to Dudley Evans, BBB TV and Brad Jones for their reporting on this item.