Alleged Domestic Assault Followed By High Speed Chase Nets Man 12 Charges In Hawkins

SURGOINSVILLE — A Washington County, Tennessee, man who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend Tuesday, stole her car, and then led police on a high speed chase from Surgoinsville to Jonesborough is facing 12 charges including four felonies. Around 5:44 p.m. Tuesday, Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Johnson responded to the Ware Manufacturing plant at the Phipps Bend Industrial Park on a complaint of a man making threats with a wooden club. While en route, Johnson was informed that the suspect, identified as Curtis Dale McClain, 36, 107 Sherfey Road, Jonesborough, was fleeing the scene in a white 2001 Buick Park Avenue. Johnson intercepted the Buick at the intersection of Phipps Bend Road and Main Street in Surgoinsville and attempted a traffic stop, but McClain allegedly refused to stop, went around another vehicle at a high rate of speed and blew the stop sign. McClain turned east on Highway 11-W and led police through Church Hill into Mount Carmel, allegedly passing cars on the shoulder. Upon reaching the red light in Mount Carmel, McClain allegedly swerved around traffic and struck the front end of a Mount Carmel Police Department patrol car with the Buick. McClain then continued into Kingsport, turned south at the I-26 interchange, and led police to Jonesborough, where he exited the interstate and eventually was arrested after pulling into his driveway. The victim told the HCSO that McClain entered her vehicle’s front passenger seat uninvited while she was stopped at Dot and Rick’s Market on 11-W in Surgoinsville. They then became involved in a verbal argument while she was driving to work, during which time McClain allegedly slapped her face while continuing to argue and make threats. She stated that upon arriving at her place of employment, he forced her to trade her car keys for her phone. McClain also allegedly brandished a wooden club that looked like a table leg and threatened that if anyone came close he would “bust their heads.” At the time of his arrest, McClain was wanted in Hawkins County for failure to appear on Aug.