Police Chief Randy Bynum states that on Tuesday, Ft Payne Police Officer Landry Bowen responded to a stranded motorist on I-59 northbound approximately one mile from the exit ramp. Bowen made contact with the motorist and determined the vehicle was able to move under its own power; he then followed the motorist to make sure no one struck the vehicle while en route to Exit 218.  According to Bowen, a vehicle then approached from behind, did NOT change lanes, and struck his police car, even after he attempted to move into the emergency lane.

Tremel Dwayne Evans, age 32 of Moody, who was operating the 2008 Ford Focus – pushed the police vehicle completely off the roadway.  A two-year-old child was also traveling with Evans.

As a result, Evans was charged with Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment of a Child, and the Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.