From the TBI Newsroom -
At the request of 3rd District Attorney General Dan Armstrong, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding a use-of-force incident that occurred in Hawkins County Tuesday evening July 2, 2019.
Preliminary information indicates that the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle crash along with shots being fired at a location on Short Road. Upon arrival, a deputy encountered Jason C. Collins (DOB 9/29/84) in a car at the end of Short Road. As a deputy approached the vehicle, Collins accelerated and drove toward the deputy, nearly striking him.
The deputy fired shots but did not hit the vehicle. Initial reports indicate that Collins continued traveling along Short Road where he sideswiped a police cruiser, resulting in a second deputy firing a shot at the vehicle. At that point, Collins lost control and crashed at the intersection of Short Road and Slate Hill Road. He then fled the area on foot.
At the time of this release, Collins had not been apprehended. No deputies were injured during the incident.
TBI Agents continue to gather any and all relevant evidence in support of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be passed along to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration.
The TBI does not identify the law enforcement officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective agencies.