Jerad Morrell, 39, was charged with multiple felonies after evading officers and crashing in South Knoxville on Sunday afternoon.

At around 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the report of a suspicious silver van in the parking lot of the Executive Inn on Chapman Highway. Officers found Morrell and a woman, identified as 35-year-old Stephanie Epperson, in the van. Morrell and Epperson reported that a gun was in the van, but that they did not know where the gun was.

Officers asked Morrell and Epperson to step out of the car for further investigation. Epperson complied, but Morrell refused to exit the car. After a brief struggle with officers, Morrell maneuvered into the driver’s seat of the van, put the vehicle in reverse and drove away from the scene, nearly striking an officer in the process.

Morrell sped away south on Chapman Highway. Assisting officers arrived in the area, spotted the van and attempted to stop it. The van did not stop and officers pursued it.

Officers called off the pursuit a short time later, but Morrell continued south on Chapman Highway before crashing into another vehicle at the Stone Road intersection. After the collision, Morrell drove a short distance further before running from the van.

Officers captured Morrell on Judith Drive following a foot pursuit.

A search of Morrell’s vehicle revealed a loaded handgun, suspected crack cocaine and approximately 18 computers and smart phones.

The driver of the vehicle that was struck by Morrell at the Stone Road intersection was transported to the UT Medical Center to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

A KPD officer was treated at an area hospital for injuries that were sustained during the foot pursuit.

Morrell was charged with schedule II drugs, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and felony evading arrest, among other charges. Epperson was charged with schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.