An inmate of the Fentress County Jail is facing a multitude of charges after she assaulted a sheriff’s department officer and stole a sheriff’s department vehicle, which was later wrecked in Pickett County.

Stephanie Briggs, 32, of Allardt, was being held in the Fentress County Jail on charges of theft over $2,500, among other charges, and had been taken to Union Bank on Thursday, August 22 to obtain bail money, when she allegedly assaulted Officer Sue Cravens and fled in a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser.

According to Fentress County Sheriff Michael Reagon, Assistant Jail Administrator Cravens had transported Briggs to the bank, and when she let her out of the car, Briggs overpowered the officer and fled in the vehicle traveling north on Highway 127, going through the York Institute and Pine Haven School zones at speeds in excess of 89 miles per hour, and continuing north on Highway 127.

Briggs reportedly proceeded to Pall Mall, where she lost control of the car and left the road, but was able to get the police cruiser back on the road and continued north into Pickett County, where she lost control again, this time crossing the center line and colliding with a 2001 GMC pickup truck, driven by Larry Hannahan, 68, of Deer Lodge.

Following the impact, both vehicles caught fire, with the fire consuming the vehicles before help could arrive. Briggs, who was reportedly slightly injured in the accident, fled the scene following the accident. Hannahan was able to free himself from the wreckage before the vehicle caught fire, and reportedly sustained a broken hand and other injuries.

The accident report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol states: “Vehicle #1 (the stolen patrol car) was traveling north on Hwy. 127 as vehicle #2 was traveling south. Both vehicles met in a sharp curve where vehicle #1 crossed the center line and struck vehicle #2 at an angle. The driver of vehicle #1 fled the scene and was later found by Deputy James Hammond of the Pickett County Sheriff’s Department in a wooded area.

“Both vehicles were destroyed by fire and Hwy. 127 was closed until the vehicles were extinguished and removed from the roadway. The driver of vehicle #2 was treated for injuries at the scene and later transported to the hospital in Albany, Kentucky, while Briggs was transported to Livingston Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Charges of felony reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident were lodged against Briggs following the accident, which was investigated by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Toby Beaty.

Officer Cravens, who had been injured in the altercation with Briggs at the bank, was taken to a local doctor’s office to be checked and then transported by ambulance to Cookeville Regional Medical Center complaining of chest pain.

The incident is being investigated by Officer Rob Lower of the Jamestown Police Department, with multiple charges expected to be filed against Briggs in connection with the incident.