Deputies charge driver but release his passenger after chase

SODDY DAISY, Tennessee (WDEF) – Hamilton County officials have charged the driver but not the passenger in a chase Sunday night.

It started just before midnight.

A deputy spotted the vehicle running a red light on Highway 153.

During the chase, the passenger tried to jump out in a parking lot, but was pulled back in the vehicle.

The chase continued up Dayton Pike, but officers let the vehicle go for safety reasons.

The vehicle was spotted again in Red Bank, and the chase resumed onto I 75 north.

Hamilton County deputies eventually got it to stop after ramming one of their vehicles.

The driver fled on foot but was chased down.

Dustin Draughon was driving on a revoked drivers license for DUI and had a warrant out on him for car theft.

And he was in a stolen vehicle.

The charges are a long list.

• FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE
• TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATION
• EVADING ARREST
• RECKLESS DRIVING
• DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE
• KIDNAPPING
• DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE
• POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
• AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
• AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
• RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS
• THEFT OF PROPERTY
• THEFT OF PROPERTY
• REGISTRATION, UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF DECAL OR PLATE

Deputies say the passenger stayed in the car when Draughon fled.

Investigators believe she was an unwilling participant and had no outstanding warrants, so they let her go.

Upon further investigation, deputies found that the vehicle had a stolen tag.