Jason Hatcher was booked into McMinn County Jail on Friday facing six criminal charges including felony evading arrest, according to booking records.
The charges against Hatcher include evading arrest, driving on suspended or revoked license, reckless endangerment, violation of registration laws, DUI, and accidents involving death or personal injury. The evading arrest charge carries a maximum penalty of 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2,500.
Hatcher was processed into the jail system on August 16. Booking records show he faces a combination of felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from what appears to be a traffic-related incident.
The most serious charge against Hatcher is evading arrest, classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-16-603. The statute covers situations where individuals attempt to flee from law enforcement officers.
Additional charges include driving on a suspended or revoked license under TCA Section 55-50-504, a violation that indicates Hatcher may not have had valid driving privileges at the time of his arrest.
Records also show charges for reckless endangerment under TCA Section 39-13-103. This charge typically applies when someone's actions create substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person.
The DUI charge falls under Tennessee Code Section 55-10-401, which covers driving under the influence of intoxicants. Hatcher also faces a violation of registration laws charge, suggesting potential issues with vehicle documentation.
Most notably, booking records indicate Hatcher is charged with accidents involving death or personal injury under TCA Section 55-10-101. This statute requires drivers involved in crashes resulting in injury or death to remain at the scene and provide required information to authorities.
Database records show this marks Hatcher's second booking in McMinn County. His previous interaction with the county jail system occurred at an earlier date, though specific details of prior charges were not immediately available.
McMinn County, located in southeastern Tennessee, serves communities including Athens, the county seat, and surrounding areas. The county's jail processes arrests from local law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
Hatcher's case represents a complex mix of traffic violations and more serious charges that could result in significant jail time if convicted. The combination of charges suggests the incident involved multiple alleged violations occurring during a single law enforcement encounter.
The evading arrest charge indicates Hatcher allegedly attempted to flee from officers, while the accident-related charge suggests the incident may have involved a crash with injuries. The suspended license and registration violations point to additional compliance issues.
McMinn County authorities processed no other bookings on Friday, making Hatcher's arrest the sole booking activity for the day according to jail records.
Court dates and bond information for Hatcher were not immediately available in booking records. The Tennessee court system typically schedules initial appearances within days of arrest for individuals facing multiple charges.
The charges against Hatcher will proceed through McMinn County's court system, where prosecutors will determine whether to pursue all six charges. Each charge carries separate potential penalties ranging from fines to jail time.
Tennessee's evading arrest statute covers various forms of fleeing from law enforcement, including on foot or in vehicles. Combined with the DUI and accident charges, Hatcher faces allegations suggesting impaired driving followed by an attempt to avoid arrest.
McMinn County jail staff processed Hatcher into the facility following standard booking procedures. The combination of felony and misdemeanor charges will require court proceedings to resolve each individual count.