A man reportedly upset over a car deal was given a 12-year prison sentence on Wednesday after hitting another man in the head with a hammer and leading officers on a high-speed chase through town.

John E. Smith III, 62, entered guilty pleas Wednesday to charges of assault, evading arrest with risk of death or injury in a vehicle, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was ordered to serve 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

The incident occurred in October 2021. According to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the hammer attack took place on Manchester Highway at the Exxon Serve 2 Go Market in Morrison.

“The caller advised that there was a gold, four-door car, which turned out to be a 2003 Buick Lesabre, that had left the scene and there was a male who had been kicked out of the car bleeding from his head,” said sheriff’s deputy Brystol Davis. “They also said a female had exited the car on the side of the road.”

The vehicle was spotted on Manchester Highway around Shangri La Lane. Deputy Jared Jacobs tried to stop it.

“I observed deputy Jacobs initiate his lights,” said Davis. “The vehicle failed to stop and fled from officers.”

The pursuit continued on Highway 55 bypass toward Sparta Highway. Just outside the city limits, Sheriff’s Department Major Jason Walker was waiting with spike strips.

“I was able to successfully spike the two passenger-side tires,” said Walker. “The car then pulled to the right-hand side of the road, and the male was taken into custody after a short struggle.”

The victim of the assault was transported from Morrison to Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital where he talked with law enforcement.

“He said John Smith had struck him in the head with a hammer after pulling a gun on him,” said deputy Davis. The victim, the woman, and Smith had all been sleeping in the car.

“He said he did this because he wasn’t happy over the deal they made for Mr. Smith to sign the title to the car over to him. He said he woke him up yelling ‘let’s go!’ and then pulled a gun and made threats to shoot him. He then went and got a hammer from the trunk and hit him over the head, took the car and left.”

The female confirmed the attack.

“She said she was asleep and didn’t know what was going on until she saw Mr. Smith hit the victim over the head with a hammer and point a gun at him,” said Davis. “She said Mr. Smith yanked him out of the car then drove off and forgot she was in the car. Smith then pulled over and she got out.”

Smith admitted to throwing the gun from the vehicle because he was on parole. The weapon was located roadside near where the pursuit began.