DASHCAM Video: Deputy shoots after woman rams cruiser

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Vonore woman now faces charges after hitting a police cruiser during a multi-county chase Sunday, according to the Blount County Sheriff's Office.

Blount County deputies charged Chariety Pryor, 31, with aggravated assault and felony evading arrest. She faces additional charges from other law enforcement agencies.

Investigators said the chase started Sunday afternoon when Loudon County deputies initiated a traffic stop on a 2000 Ford F350 that was reported stolen out of Alcoa earlier in the day. Loudon County officials chased the vehicle into Blount County where BCSO deputies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit.

Authorities said Pryor refused to stop and drove around spike strips that were deployed by law enforcement agencies. Dashcam video rolled as Pryor lost control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch near the 700 block of Thompson Bridge Road. A Loudon deputy fired shots at the truck as Pryor allegedly drove out of the ditch and hit the Loudon County cruiser.

Loudon County Deputy Kevin Dailey said he feared for his life when Pryor used the truck to ram his SUV.

"At first she hit me in the rear with the front of the vehicle as she came out of the ditch that spun me around in the middle of the road, she accelerated towards my vehicle, ramming my doors rear and front," Dailey said.

Dailey said his training took over when he fired his weapon through the passenger window of his patrol vehicle. Dailey explained his intent was to stop the threat, and he said he was glad no one was hurt.

"You hate to see anyone make bad decisions like she made, but for the most part I am glad she's okay. I'm glad everyone is okay, and there's a lot of emotions, but I'm glad my faith came in handy," said Dailey.

Police said there were no injuries as a result of the incident.

Pryor is being held on bonds totaling $60,000 in the Blount County Correctional Facility pending a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. on April 30.