Michigan man leads police on chase

Police say a Michigan man led them on a pursuit Wednesday, March 20. Officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle with Michigan license tags on Alcoa Highway, traveling into town. The driver, later identified as 25-year-old Daniel Joseph Hibbert, Michigan, fled from police and was located again at the intersection of Alcoa Highway and Foch Street, where police said they attempted to stop him before he fled again.

According to a report, Hibbert drove the vehicle towards Foothills Mall, then looped his way back to Alcoa Highway, eventually ending up on Lamar Alexander Parkway.

Officers said that during the pursuit, Hibbert almost struck another vehicle and was “reckless with no regard for public safety.”

According to the report, after driving approximately five miles, Hibbert turned onto Pershing Street which is a dead-end street.

Officers said Hibbert then began to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after and taken to the Blount County Jail where he was charged with reckless driving, felony evading arrest, evading arrest by fleeing, theft of property, manufacture/sale of schedule I-VII drugs, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and evading arrest. He was being held in lieu of bonds totaling $202,000 pending a 9 a.m. March 21 hearing.