Sevierville Officer Injured During Stop, Driver Had History of Evading Police

A Sevierville police officer is recovering from injuries sustained during a traffic stop when the driver of the vehicle fled the scene.

According to the Sevierville Police Department, Officer Travis Byram stopped a vehicle for an apparent altered license plate on Dolly Parton Parkway near Industrial Park Drive at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020. He observed what appeared to be a large amount of methamphetamine in the back seat between two passengers as he approached the vehicle.

The driver began to put the vehicle in gear and Officer Byram attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle. However, the driver was able to flee and Officer Byrum suffered a contusion and abrasions to his arm caused by the moving vehicle. He was treated and released from the hospital.

Police identified the driver of the vehicle as 40-year-old Benjamin Hugh Justus of New Market and obtained warrants for aggravated assault, felony evading and not having a valid drivers license. Justus also had an outstanding warrant for felony evading on another occasion.

A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted Justus’ vehicle about 8:45 p.m. Thursday night and and attempted to stop his vehicle, but Justus fled and led officers on a pursuit back into Sevierville.

Sevierville police officers deployed spike strips on Highway 139, which reportedly damaged one tire. Justus continued to evade and was ultimately apprehended in Knox County by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Justus faces charges from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as well and is held in the Jefferson County Detention Center.