LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A Jacksboro man caught a break after he was pulled over late Saturday night when the officer let him go with a verbal warning. By Sunday afternoon, he found himself behind bars for the same offense, driving on a suspended license.

Eric Allen Hammond was leaning into the driver’s seat of a 2004 Chevrolet pick-up truck as it sat in the Big Creek Market parking lot on Sunday afternoon when he was spotted by Officer Zack Daugherty, according to a report from the La Follette Police Department. The officer recalled Hammond and the truck from a Saturday night traffic stop; a stop in which Daugherty issued a verbal warning to Hammond for driving on a suspended license. Daugherty allowed Hammond to park the truck and contact a licensed driver to pick him up.

On Sunday afternoon at the market, Daugherty spoke with Hammond and asked how the pick-up was moved into its current configuration. Hammond allegedly stated he had a licensed driver drop him off and that the driver left the scene and was supposed to come back and pick him up. When Daugherty explained that he would be reviewing the market’s camera footage for verification, Hammond changed his story, based on the police report.

Hammond allegedly admitted he rolled down South Tennessee Avenue from West Chestnut Street, the next block up from Big Creek Market. Daugherty said Hammond told him that he was in full control of the Chevy while on the street, which requires a licensed driver.

Upon further investigation, the officer found the truck to be unregistered and had an improperly displayed license plate by it not being properly secured with two bolts. It was also learned that the truck was uninsured.

Hammond, 37, of Lakewood Road, Jacksboro, was charged with driving on suspended driver’s license for the sixth time, improper display of tags, expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance. Hammond is free on bond and is due in court on Thursday. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/01/2023-6AM)

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