Knoxville man arrested after car chase accused of assaulting officers

Law enforcement in the area of ​​Whittle Springs Rd and Hoitt Avenue following a car chase on June 3, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A traffic stop in Knoxville sparked a car chase Monday afternoon that ended with the arrest of a suspect on multiple charges and the seizure of more than $40,000 in cash.

According to a Knoxville Police Department spokesman, officers were patrolling the area of ​​McTeer Street after a drug complaint when they stopped a silver sedan at Fillmore Avenue and McTeer Street for traffic violations.

After being asked to get out of the vehicle, police say the driver started the car and drove off. Two policemen suffered minor injuries after being dragged by the car in an attempt to prevent him from leaving the scene.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office eventually took over the pursuit and deployed a helicopter to survey the area. The pursuit ended in the area of ​​Whittle Springs Road and Hoitt Avenue. The driver allegedly struck an occupied Knox County cruiser and struck a deputy’s leg before being taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle and the suspect led to the seizure of over 350 grams of marijuana and over $40,000 in cash.

The suspect, David Esserman, 52, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of evading arrest and the sale and delivery of a schedule VI drug.