And the chase was on

Cannon County deputies joined in a high-speed three-county chase from John Bragg Highway to Bell Buckle following a Liberty woman who was apparently en route to a doctor's appointment.

In pursuit were Deputies Greg Moore and Kyle Wix. The chase was joined by other officers including Bell Buckle Police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
A State Trooper eventually pulled over the woman, who was identified as Linda Retter. She was charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of a property damage accident in Cannon County by Deputy Moore. Retter surrendered her license to Moore pending re-evaluation.

Moore first joined the chase at the intersection of John Bragg Highway and Bradyville Road after receiving a report a 2007 Chevy SUV had run over the traffic signs at the intersection and was proceeding down Bradyville Road at high speed. Moore soon backed down after failing to make contact.

A vehicle driven by JD Underhill of the Cannon County Rescue Squad had already began pursuit after Mrs. Retter reportedly almost side-swiped him and nearly hit another vehicle while leaving the Woodbury city limits.

Underhill told Deputy Moore "her driving was so dangerous that he felt someone needed to keep any eye on her until an officer could find them."
Underhill, who had experience operating vehicles in emergency situations, said speeds on Bradyville Highway topped 80 mph and when Mrs. Retter turned off on Highway 64 he slowed to 70 mph, he told officers.

Bell Buckle Police made contact after the motorist slowed down for Webb School. The Highway Patrol then stopped Mrs. Retter. She was told to return to Cannon County and to report to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Moore returned to the scene of the accident on John Bragg Highway where he photographed the damaged traffic control signs "both of which are uprooted and laying in the ditch."

The deputy then returned to the Sheriff's Office where Mrs. Retter soon arrived.

Moore gathers her driving history information. "She has an extensive history of speeding and both property and personal injury accidents," the deputy reported.

Mrs. Retter told the deputy "a vehicle started playing chicken with her and had thrown a bottle at her car at the intersection when the accident happened."

Moore said eyewitness reports disputed Mrs. Retter's claim.

She said her car hit water and slid into the signs at John Bragg and Bradyville Pike and that she stopped and picked up pieces of her car before proceeding on. She said she did notice a vehicle following her but the next thing she knew she was being pulled over in Bell Buckle.

A hearing is set for April 4 in General Sessions Court.