According to Hamilton County Court Records, a judge sentenced Randall Keeton, 36, of Chickamauga, to serve 6 years in the Tennessee State Prison after he agreed to plead guilty to evading arrest and reckless endangerment in reference to a dangerous high-speed chase with his young daughter in 2021. As part of the plea agreement, all pending charges in Georgia against Keeton have been completely dropped. According to the 2021 press release from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, On December 16, 2021, at approximately 4:00 pm, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Austin Garrett (Current Sheriff) observed a black Mustang driving extremely recklessly on Interstate I-75 north near Hamilton Place Boulevard. Sheriff Garrett attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop which was ignored by Keeton, leading to a pursuit. Once the vehicle entered the area near Hamilton Place mall Sheriff Garrett made the decision to to temporarily terminate the pursuit, due to heavy traffic and congestion. Keeton lost control of the Mustang and spun out near the 2000 block of Hamilton Place Boulevard. HCSO Deputies then engaged the suspect and attempted to take him into custody, at which time he fled again, striking the Sheriff’s patrol vehicle in the process. The pursuit was re-engaged after leaving the Hamilton Place Mall area and continued on I-75 southbound into Catoosa County, despite the Mustang only having three functioning tires at this point. The suspect then exited recklessly onto Cloud Springs Road and multiple attempts were made to stop the vehicle, resulting in the vehicle becoming inoperable. Once stopped, Keeton exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. After a very brief foot pursuit he was apprehended by HCSO deputies and taken into custody. HCSO personnel also located a small female juvenile passenger who was transported via EMS to a local medical facility for observation and to make sure there were no serious injuries. According to the press release, “A loaded handgun was recovered from the driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle, along with approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Several syringes were also found in the vehicle. Randal Keeton was turned over to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Catoosa County Jail.” Keeton was charged in Hamilton County with Reckless Driving, Evading Arrest, Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Child Abuse, Reckless Endangerment, Possessing Firearm During Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Driving on Suspended License, Vandalism over $2,500, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Damage (x2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Below are photos of the damage done to Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett’s vehicle (silver Durango)
