(Hearld Citizen)

A Gainesboro man is charged with aggravated reckless endangerment and a host of other offenses after hitting Cookeville Police cruisers during a chase.

Jeffrey Scantland, 47, of Lewis Hawkins Lane, Gainesboro, was driving on West 7th Street when Cookeville Police Officer Joseph Dowdy tried to stop him for a broken brake light, according to the arrest warrant.

He refused to stop, and a pursuit began between Scantland and officers.  The vehicle was at 7th Street and Chestnut Avenue and then it accelerated. The vehicle ran through 7th Street, 9th Street, Broad Street to Spring Street, all in rush hour traffic.

Scantland fled to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center parking lot where CPD Officer Michael McDonald blocked the vehicle with his cruiser.  Scantland then alledely hit McDonald’s cruiser head-on.

Another unidentified officer boxed Scantland in at the CRMC parking lot, according to the warrant.

Scantland, a female passenger and two CPD officers (one being McDonald) were treated for injuries at CRMC.

Scantland is charged with aggravated reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest, reckless endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license; bond is $20,000.

Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the crash.