Dakota Jacob Johnson. Photo provided.
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, officers attempted a traffic stop on a Kia sedan on Rankin Ave for driving offenses. The driver refused to stop for emergency equipment, initiating a pursuit. The driver turned onto State Street, Railroad Street, and then proceeded west onto Hickory Street. The driver did not stop at stop signs or attempt to stop for law enforcement. He then turned south onto Elm Street, recklessly passing several vehicles.
The driver then turned west onto Buddy Skyles Road. As he proceeded up Buddy Skyles Road, he turned onto Owensby Drive, where he drove through a yard. He then fled south, where he went to the end of Buddy Skyles, traveling into another yard. He struck an HVAC unit next to a home, causing significant damage to the unit. The driver made his way back onto Buddy Skyles Rd.
The driver was clearly driving recklessly with little care for life or property until the pursuit was ended with officers and deputies deploying STOP STICKS and spike strips to disable the vehicle ultimately.
The vehicle’s driver was identified as Dakota Jacob Johnson, of Grundy County. Johnson was wanted out of Grundy County on felony charges. After the pursuit in Dunlap, Johnson was charged with the following in Sequatchie County:
Felony Evading Arrest, Possession of Schedule II – Methamphetamine, Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, Vandalism over $1,000.00, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Johnson was transported to the Sequatchie County Justice Center for booking.
The charges and allegations in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
