Man drives through roadblock at I-55 tanker fire, takes police on chase: MPD

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man was taken into custody after police say he nearly ran over a state trooper while law enforcement officials were working the scene of a fiery wreck on Interstate 55 Thursday night.

Christian Franklin, 24, was arrested and charged with Failure to Obey Traffic Officer, Reckless Endangerment, Aggravated Assault, Evading Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance to wit: Marijuana, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

According to Memphis Police, while working the scene of a large tanker truck fire on I-55 and Mallory Avenue , Franklin drove through the roadblock, nearly hitting a state trooper head-on.

Multiple officers pursued the car, but Franklin refused to stop. He continued on I-55 and exited the interstate on South Parkway. Officers were able to stop Franklin on South Parkway East and Humber Street.

Reports say officers on the scene physically removed Franklin from his car and put him on the ground after he refused to obey commands. They used “hard hands tactics” to get Franklin into custody.

Officers found a large bag of marijuana on the front seat of Franklin’s vehicle and another small bag along with a scale inside of a red cup in the center console.

The chase was caught on a dash camera by WREG crews in the area.

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