Trucking News · Mississippi · November 5, 2026

Mississippi Truck Driver Charged With Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement After Deputies Say He Tried to Ram Patrol Cars on Highway 37

By Big Rig Daily Staff

A truck driver in Smith County, Mississippi, faces three counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement after deputies say he tried to ram patrol cars responding to an emergency, according to CDLLife, citing WLBT. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent.

What deputies say happened

The incident began about 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, the report says. Smith County deputies were responding to an emergency call on Highway 37 when a truck driver heading the opposite direction tried to crash into them head-on in three separate attempts, according to WLBT as cited by CDLLife. An unrelated motorist was almost hit.

Some officers continued to the emergency call while others tried to pull the semi over. The driver refused to stop and led deputies on a pursuit of about 10 minutes at speeds of up to 80 mph, the report says.

He eventually pulled over along Highway 37 and went into his home, where he barricaded himself, according to the report. His wife and child, who were outside, helped officers communicate with him, and he was taken into custody without incident.

The charges

He was booked into the Smith County Jail and faces three counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, CDLLife reports. No serious injuries were reported.

"There is absolutely no excuse for intentionally placing the lives of law enforcement officers in danger, especially while they are responding to an emergency to help someone in need," the department said in a statement.

What is not known

The report does not say why the incident happened, whether the truck was loaded, or which company, if any, the driver was working for. Big Rig Daily is not naming him and is not speculating about a motive.

A note for truckers

This is a rare case and does not reflect the professional truck drivers who share the road with emergency crews every day. Moving over and slowing down for responding units remains the standard for everyone on the road. Move-over rules vary by state; see our guide to trucking laws.

Quick facts

• Where: Highway 37, Smith County, Mississippi.
• When: about 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
• Charges: three counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement.
• Injuries: no serious injuries reported.
• Status: allegations; booked into the Smith County Jail.

FAQ

Was anyone hurt?

No serious injuries were reported.

Has the driver been convicted?

No. He is charged and presumed innocent.

A question for readers

Truckers, how do you handle meeting emergency vehicles on narrow two-lane highways?

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