The Newport Plain Talk

HIGHWAY 107-Cocke County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call made by a couple who stated they were shot at and nearly rammed by vehicles occupied by two relatives from 179 North Highway 107, Del Rio, Friday evening.

Deputy David Crowder was dispatched to Highway 107 and spoke with Billy Mathes, 25, 117 Dean Way, Del Rio, who stated he and his girlfriend were shot at while driving on the highway in their vehicle.

According to a statement Crowder compiled, the couple was traveling on Highway 107 from Greene County toward Del Rio around 7:34 p.m. when Mathes noted a blue Chevrolet S-10 pickup following closely behind. A woman, who Mathes identified as "Jessica" (he didn't know her last name) was reportedly driving the truck and accompanied by two males. All three suspects were reportedly making obscene hand gestures toward the couple.

One of the individuals, identified as a white male, 17, 5'5" and 140-pounds, with brown hair, allegedly put his arm out of the pickup's window and started shooting. Mathes stated, "He kept shooting as he came by. He was shooting at my car. I would say he fired about 10 shots."

Mathes stated the occupants of the pickup drove off after shots ceased and that the incident took place in Greene County. "After (the 17-year-old white male) drove by and shot at me, his (relative) was in a silver Nissan Frontier (and) he acted like he was going to ram me as he went by," Mathes told Crowder.

While Mathes reentered Cocke County, he reported seeing Darrell R. Powers, 40, 139 North Highway 107, Del Rio, who is related to the alleged shooter, "holding a baseball bat and standing next to (the alleged shooter) by the road." Mathes added, "I stopped and asked them why they were shooting with my kids in the car. (the alleged shooter) and Darrell started cussing us again, so I backed up to the neighbor's and asked them to call the law."

Deputy Jason Oury was en route to serve as backup for Crowder when he observed a vehicle matching Crowder's description at 139 N. Highway 107. Oury noticed three individuals, matching the couple's description, were on the porch of the residence. Oury entered the driveway and asked the identity of the individuals. Powers identified himself and claimed ownership of the Frontier. The 17-year-old white male along with the alleged pickup driver, described as an 18-year-old "female friend," were with Powers.

Oury asked Powers if he had been involved in any altercation that evening. He stated he had been traveling south on Highway 107 when a gray Dodge Neon began driving aggressively. Powers further stated he raced the Neon down the highway. Oury asked Powers if he owned any firearms and the suspect presented the deputy with a Tennessee Handgun Carry permit.

Oury asked to see any weapons on the property and was told they were inside the top drawer of a dresser in Powers' bedroom. When Oury opened the drawer, he noticed a marijuana roach "in plain sight on the left side...next to the guns." In addition, Oury noticed Powers smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Powers reportedly admitted to drinking "a few beers."

Oury noted in his report, "Because he (Powers) had already admitted to being in an altercation on the highway, I was afraid for his safety and others' safety. I believed an altercation would likely occur if not arrested."

At press time, no arrests were made in connection with the alleged shooting. In addition, it wasn't reported whether Mathes's vehicle was struck from gunfire. Mathes stated his two-year-old, one-year-old and two-month old children were in his vehicle when the alleged incident occurred.

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