Bus loaded with inmates gets a flat on the side of I 75

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office reports an unscheduled stop in a major prisoner transfer Friday morning.

They were moving 74 inmates to state prisons to relieve crowding.

But the bus carrying 60 male inmates blew out a tire along the way.

It happened at 6:03 AM at the 12 mile marker of I 75.

Deputies from both Bradley and Hamilton County scrambled to the scene.

They transferred the inmates to another bus in about an hour, and the transfer continued on without further incident.

Sheriff Eric Watson stated, “Sheriff Jim Hammond and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office should be commended for their quick response to assist our agency during the bus incident. H.C.S.O.’s presence was an additional layer of security to ensure the safety of the public and the male inmates.”

“I also want to praise the Tennessee Department of Corrections for allowing our agency to transfer 74 inmates into their custody. This is a progressive step to address the overcrowding issue stated in last week’s jail inspection by the Tennessee Department of Corrections.”