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Wlaf1450LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The search for Tristan Harmon resumed at daybreak Thursday. “We called it a night around 3am today (Thursday), and we’re back out looking for him this morning,” said La Follette Police Capt. Charles Duff. Harmon allegedly sped away from a traffic stop around 7pm Wednesday and has been on the run since.
Related stories are further down this page.
“Sgt. Robert Cobb initiated a traffic stop on Harmon on West Beech Street behind JR’s Tires, and he knew Harmon was wanted on a failure to appear warrant for vehicular homicide. Harmon refused to get out of his car and sped away,” said Duff.
Harmon, pursued by LPD officers and sheriff’s deputies, took off to Grantsboro. “He slowed down and jumped out of the car abandoning it in the middle of the road and took off on foot,” said Duff.
After a long search to no avail, Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies joined in the search from the KCSO helicopter using infrared. A thick canopy of vegetation made the air search unsuccessful.
“We’re hoping that if we don’t find him that he’ll turn himself in,” said Duff. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/10/2026-6AM)
Here is the original story from May 2021.
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A car hit the 13th Street underpass this morning at 2am (May 21, 2021) ejecting a passenger, according to the preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Trooper Korey Holbert’s report said 20-year- old Tristan Harmon, Jacksboro, was traveling north on North 13th Street, behind the Corner Market, and struck the concrete railroad underpass ejecting 19-year- old Sailor Harmon, the backseat passenger. The 2014 Nissan Altima came to a final uncontrolled rest inside the concrete underpass.
Officers said that Tristan Harmon drove Sailor Harmon in the Nissan to the La Follette Medical Center from the 13th Street underpass.
It was reported that the Harmons are brother and sister. Neither was wearing a seatbelt based on the report There was another passenger riding in the front seat, and he was not injured and was wearing a seatbelt. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/21/2021-4PM)
Here is the story from Harmon’s day in court in November 2023.
JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Yesterday, (Mon., Nov. 27, 2023) in criminal court, Tristan Harmon pleaded guilty in the accident that claimed his sister’s life.
He was given five years probation and 500 hours of community service after he agreed he was guilty of reckless vehicular homicide. The community service will entail participating in the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Public Schools Outreach program.
Harmon’s car hit the North 13th Street underpass in LaFollette around 2am on May 21, 2021, ejecting a passenger, which was his sister, 19-year- old Sailor Harmon, according to the report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He allegedly struck the concrete railroad underpass, and the 2014 Nissan Altima came to a final uncontrolled rest inside the concrete underpass.
The front seat passenger, 18-year- old Jordan Webb, was not injured.
Along with probation and community service, Harmon must attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Class, will lose his drive’s license for five years, pay court costs and a $500 fine.
Harmon will also be wearing a SCRAM bracelet. A SCRAM bracelet provides 24/7 transdermal alcohol testing, according to scramsystems.com.
“This is an unusual case,” said Eighth Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zach Walden. “This is a very fortunate disposition.”
“Both parents were consulted extensively,” said Eighth Judicial District Assistant Attorney General Andi Bridges. They both approved the resolution of the case, she said.
“If you mess this up, you have a five year prison sentence hanging over your head,” Walden said. “Partying and drinking” that is not an option for you.” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 11/28/2023- 6AM)