Erwin man charged with DUI after crashing through Eastman gate, KPD says

UPDATE: According to a release from the Kingsport Police Department (KPD), an Erwin man is in custody after crashing through a gate at Eastman. The driver, Eric Wall, reportedly crashed a Chevrolet Trailblazer through Eastman Chemical’s Gate 7 located on Lincoln Street at Konnarock Road, according to the release.

Wall allegedly continued to drive through Eastman property. Eastman was put under a hold-in-place as a result of the unauthorized entry. Shortly after being notified, officers arrived on scene and located the SUV with Wall inside the vehicle.

Wall allegedly refused to leave the vehicle after receiving several orders to exit the vehicle. Officers on scene and Eastman’s Fire Department reportedly heard what they believed to be a gunshot come from the vehicle, the release states.

The KPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) was called to the scene to assist and was able to arrest Wall without incident.

Officers searched the vehicle and didn’t locate a firearm, but did locate illicit drugs, according to the release.

Wall is charged with driving under the influence, felony vandalism, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, aggravated criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and several other drug-related charges. He was booked into the Kingsport City Jail.

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KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — An unauthorized entry prompted a hold-in-place alert at Eastman on Saturday afternoon, company officials said.

Eastman spokesperson Candy Eslinger told News Channel 11 that an unauthorized driver entered the campus through a gate on Lincoln Street. She said the incident did not affect the plant or its operations. She added that the hold-in-place was issued for the safety of the employees on-site.

Eslinger said the Kingsport Police Department (KPD) was working to investigate the incident and apprehend the suspect. A full statement from Eastman can be found below:

An unauthorized driver entered through an Eastman plant gate from Lincoln Street. The Kingsport Police Department is currently in the process of apprehending the driver. During this time, we’ve issued a hold in place for the safety of our employees.

Eastman statement, 4:15 p.m.