Teen arrested in Cheatham County after 2nd high-speed chase in less than a month

CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A teenager with a track record of trouble is back behind bars in Cheatham County after being involved in a high-speed pursuit for the second time in less than a month.

On Sunday, March 10, Sgt. Ryan Hawkins with the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office clocked a car going 85 mph. The deputy followed the Volkswagen Passat, which continued to accelerate and drive dangerously, crossing over the double yellow line, according to the arrest report. As a result, Hawkins stopped chasing him.

A few minutes later, dispatch contacted the sergeant to inform him that a car — possibly the one he had been pursuing — crashed on Kerri Drive off Highway 41A in Pleasant View.

Hawkins responded to the wreck, and sure enough, when he got to the corner, he saw the VW down an embankment in the woods with a young man — later identified by authorities as 18-year-old Jackson Pickney — standing on the side of the road.

The deputy jumped out of his car and his body camera recorded him as he said, “Put your hands behind your back right now!”

The teen reportedly seemed dazed and confused. Hawkins asked what was wrong with him, and Pickney said he didn’t know.

Hawkins: “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Pickney: “Yes, sir.”

Hawkins: “Where you hurt?”

Pickney: “My head.”

When Hawkins asked Pickney why he ran from him, the teen answered, “Because I was speeding.”

“Okay, now you’re going to jail for a felony,” Hawkins replied.

Investigators looked through the teen’s backpack and found a loaded magazine, but no gun. Meanwhile, a search of the VW’s trunk turned up what authorities believed to be stolen laptops, including a MacBook, and other electronics.

Hawkins: “Am I going to find anything illegal in your car?”

Pickney: “Um.”

Hawkins: “What?”

Pickney: “Maybe some meth.”

Hawkins: “Some meth!”

Deputies said they discovered drug paraphernalia, including grinders, along with methamphetamine in the vehicle. Hawkins asked Pickney how much meth he was on, and the teen said, “Not that much.”

News 2 has learned that the teenager has a history of car chases.

According to the Kingston Springs Police Department, on Feb. 15, less than four weeks before the pursuit involving the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office, Pickney was a passenger in a white Dodge Charger that had been reported stolen.

Officers spiked the vehicle, but the Charger still fled. However, based on the arrest report, one of the car’s tires flew off while it was going at a high rate of speed. Eventually, the vehicle lost control and crashed into the woods.

Not only were the suspects arrested on felony charges, but police said a search of the vehicle yielded marijuana, meth, two catalytic converters, and a saw.

Hawkins: “How many times have you ran from the cops?”

Pickney: “This will be my second time charged with it.”

Hawkins: “Charged with it?!”

Unidentified law enforcement officer: “Boss, that’s not very smart.”

Hawkins: “It’s just a speeding ticket man, and now you’re 18, so you get to go to big boy jail.”

The 18-year-old is in the Cheatham County Jail, charged with reckless driving, evading arrest, possession of schedule VI controlled substance, speeding, improper passing, seatbelt violations, theft of property, and theft of a motor vehicle, according to officials. His bond has been set at $87,500.