Cocke County Swiftwater Rescue Assist Deputies With Arrest

Cocke County deputies responded to a call at the Dollar General in Del Rio last week that turned into a little something more. The call was originally for an unresponsive male in the store that had possibly overdosed. Two doses of Narcan was given to the man who regained consciousness and identified himself as 26 year old David Johnson of Powder Springs. He refused medical treatment , and also refused to put his hands behind his back. As Johnson and a deputy walked out the front door of Dollar General, Johnson took off on foot, eventually crossing Arc Road and then jumping into the French Broad river. Johnson was ordered to stop but instead continued swimming downstream. Cocke County’s Swiftwater Rescue Team was dispatched and was ale to throw a rope bag out to Johnson who grabbed it and was pulled to the river bank. He was then transported to the Newport Medical Center for treatment before being transported to jail. Johnson was wanted in Newport for theft over $1,000. He was charged with that outstanding warrant along with evading arrest and public intoxication.