SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- A Maury County Sheriff's Deputy died in a single-car accident early Tuesday while assisting another deputy involved in a pursuit, Sheriff Bucky Rowland said.
Deputy Darrell Perritt, 42, who works the night patrol shift, was en route to assist a fellow officer about 3 a.m. when he lost control of his patrol car on Clara Mathis Road near Blackburn Lane, Rowland said.
Perritt's vehicle slid off the road and struck a tree, killing him instantly, Rowland said.
"It doesn't appear there was any type of suffering," Rowland said. "We just ask that the community lift his family up in prayer."
Columbia police were responding to a hit-and-run accident this morning and sheriff's deputies were able to locate the vehicle that fled from the accident scene, CPD Capt. Jeremy Alsup said.
"My understanding is that they became involved in the pursuit of that vehicle," Alsup said.
He said the vehicle, driven by Carissa Michelle Christ, eventually crashed again. Christ was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries.
"I don't know what hospital she went to, but I do know she was released and taken to the Maury County Jail," Alsup said.
Christ, 22, 9551 Hampton Road, Brentwood, was arrested by CPD and is being charged with driving under the influence, driving on a revoked license, leaving an accident scene, felony evading arrest, and two counts of reckless endangerment by motor vehicle, according to a booking report from the jail. She remained in the Maury County Jail in lieu of $25,500 bond.
No one else was injured, Rowland said.
Perritt is survived by his wife of 22 years, a 21-year-old daughter, a 17-year-old son and an 11-year-old son, Rowland said.
"Our hearts go out to the sheriff's department," Alsup said. "It's a hard time for them especially, but for law enforcement in general."
The flag outside the Maury County Sheriff's Department on Lawson White Drive was flown at half-staff Tuesday.
Several local law enforcement and emergency response agencies took their condolences to social media throughout the day.
"Deputy Perritt lost his life this morning in the line of duty while protecting citizens of this county," the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department posted on its Facebook page. "Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as you go about your day."
A memorial page has been set up for Perritt on Officers Down Memorial Page at www.odmp.org, and a GoFundMe account has been set up in support of Perritt's family. The account raised $4,925 in five hours Tuesday.
Perritt had served as a full-time deputy for three months and had previously spent two years as a reserve deputy, Rowland said.
Copyright 2014 - The Daily Herald, Columbia, Tenn.
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