Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) –
Five East Tennessee men are facing charges after authorities say they coordinated a rolling roadblock on Interstate 140, commonly known as Pellissippi Parkway, to facilitate an illegal drag race.
According to court records obtained by WVLT News, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper was traveling eastbound on Pellissippi Parkway shortly after midnight Sunday when he observed traffic slowing unexpectedly.
The trooper reported seeing at least three vehicles traveling together and intentionally reducing traffic speed. As traffic backed up behind them, two vehicles positioned themselves side-by-side in front of the group before accelerating rapidly in what investigators described as a drag race.
Although the trooper did not obtain a radar speed reading, court records indicate he estimated the vehicles were traveling in the high 90-mile-per-hour range and exceeded 100 miles per hour as they sped away.
The trooper activated his emergency equipment and conducted a traffic stop. Authorities said all five vehicles pulled onto the right shoulder of Pellissippi Parkway near the Westland Drive exit.
The following drivers were taken into custody and charged with a drag racing penalty:
- Dakota Baker, 23, of Maynardville
- Tagan Cagle, 22, of Knoxville
- Lukas Cox, 22, of Kingston
- Caleb Mynatt, 22, of Maynardville
- Jeffery Lynch, 24, of Maynardville
In addition to the drag racing charge, Baker was also charged with driving without an ignition interlock device, a requirement linked to a 2024 DUI case in Union County. He was also charged with violating Tennessee’s financial responsibility law.
Authorities have not released additional details about the incident.
The case remains part of ongoing enforcement efforts targeting dangerous street racing and reckless driving on East Tennessee roadways.
