Paris, Tenn.–A man sought by Henry County Sheriff’s deputies as he drove recklessly down Hwy. 79N later died after lifesaving measures, including Narcan, were applied by first responders. His death followed a chase down the highway in which the suspect drove on the wrong side of the road, struck a sheriff’s cruiser and resisted arrest, according to Sheriff Josh Fry.
The incident began Saturday morning when the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received several calls about a burgundy Chevy Monte Carlo driving recklessly and that the driver was possibly intoxicated.
At 11:29 a.m. deputies located the vehicle on Highway 79 North. The vehicle was observed driving in the grass median at that time.
Frey said, “Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled from them toward Paris on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle continued inbound on Highway 79N driving on the wrong side of the road at times until the vehicle came to a stop at 3140 Hwy 79 N.”
One officer pulled in front of the vehicle and one officer was behind the vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated forward into the side of a Henry County Sheriff’s patrol unit. This disabled the suspect’s vehicle and officers were then able to talk Daniel Russell out of the vehicle.
Frey said, “Once Mr. Russell was out of the car, he resisted arrest. Officers then used less lethal options to bring Mr. Russell under control with neither option working and Mr. Russell still resisting arrest. After a struggle, officers were able to place Mr. Russell under arrest.”
During the arrest, Frey said, Mr. Russell became unresponsive and lifesaving measures were started by using Narcan. Henry County EMS was on the scene and further attempted lifesaving measures. Mr. Russell was transported to the Henry County Medical Center by EMS. At the hospital Mr. Russell was pronounced deceased.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and being handled by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by the TWRA, THP and Paris Police Department. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office would ask that you keep the family of Mr. Russell in your thoughts and prayers.