Box Truck Leads Police on High-Speed Chase Through Streets of Columbia

Issue #290

04 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Mostly cloudy with a high of 53 / low of 38

🚨 Box Truck Leads Police on High-Speed Chase Through Streets of Columbia

📰 Get Your Message in Lights With TDOT’s Holiday Highway Sign Contest

🏈 Columbia Academy to Play in Football State Championships For First Time in School History 

👉 Check Out The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Maury County & More Here

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

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Upcoming Local Events

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Wednesday, December 4th

Thursday, December 5th

Friday, December 6th

Saturday, December 7th

Sunday, December 8th

Box Truck Leads Police on High-Speed Chase Through Streets of Columbia

A driver in an Enterprise box truck led Maury County deputies on a high-speed chase through Columbia Tuesday. Witnesses reported the truck going about 70 miles per hour on a road with a 40 mile-per-hour speed limit.

Witnesses mentioned that the box truck driver avoided spike strips that the police had put down. They also said it looked like it was full of video gaming equipment.

The whole chase lasted about 40 minutes. It came to an end at Industrial Park Rd. and N. James Campbell Blvd. After the truck was stopped, police could be seen with guns drawn and taking the driver into custody. 

To see more footage of the chase, there are multiple videos posted in the I Heart Columbia Facebook group. Commenters are reporting that the truck was stolen from a FedEx delivery driver who was stopped to deliver a package.

At the time of publishing, Maury County Sheriff’s Department has not released a statement. 

Get Your Message in Lights With TDOT’s Holiday Highway Sign Contest

TDOT’s 2024 “Make Travel Bright” Safety Sign Contest is now underway. You’re encouraged to submit engaging safety messages for the Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) you see on the interstate. TDOT’s goal with these messages has always been to raise awareness of highway safety. The contest gives Tennessee motorists an opportunity to be a part of our mission to save lives.

Contest Rules:

Signs can accommodate three lines of text with up to 21 characters (including spaces). The message must relate to one of the below categories.

  • Speeding

  • Distracted Driving

  • Impaired Driving

  • Seat Belts

  • Aggressive Driving

Hashtags, phone numbers, website addresses, and emojis are not allowed. Lewd or profane messaging will be disqualified.

Submit your message on this page. TDOT will select the finalists and the public will get to vote on the myTDOT Facebook page for the winner beginning on December 16th. The message with the most votes will be put in rotation on the signs and seen all across the state.

Columbia Academy to Play in Football State Championships For First Time in School History

The TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) football season concludes this week with the Division II state championship games kicking off on Thursday. The highly anticipated matchup in the Class of 2026 features top-ranked quarterback Jared Curtis leading Nashville Christian in pursuit of its first state title in nearly a decade. Curtis was a key player in the 2022 title game, where Nashville Christian fell to DCA, 31-7.

This year, the Eagles are up against a surging Columbia Academy squad. Since their 45-7 regular-season loss to Nashville Christian in Week 8, Columbia Academy has gone undefeated, with an average margin of victory of 35.6 points. In their earlier meeting, Curtis dominated, passing for 371 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 78 yards and three additional scores. Wide receivers Javin Drewelow (119 yards, two TDs) and Bryson Holt (117 yards) also delivered standout performances against the Bulldogs' secondary.

Columbia Academy enters the championship on a hot streak, powered by star running back Montae Baldwin, who has rushed for 1,951 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, setting a new career rushing record for the school. Baldwin will face a formidable challenge in Curtis, a Mr. Football finalist, who is averaging 270.8 yards from scrimmage this season.

Nashville Christian’s offensive firepower is further bolstered by the return of running back TJ Ward, who came back from injury in Week 11 and has since averaged 150 rushing yards per game. The Eagles aim to capitalize on their strong offensive momentum as they face a Columbia Academy team eager to avenge its earlier defeat and claim their first championship in school history.

Matchup: Nashville Christian (11-1) vs. Columbia Academy (10-3)

Rankings: Nashville Christian No. 1 in DII-A in the USA TODAY Network statewide rankings; Columbia Academy No. 2.

Kickoff: 3 p.m. (EST) Thursday, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga

How to watch: Live on NFHS Network

Championships: Nashville Christian, 1 (2015). Columbia Academy none.

Coaches: Nashville Christian: Jeff Brothers, 15th season; Columbia Academy: Seth Anderson, third season.

*To make it easy for staff, students, and families to attend the game, Columbia Academy has decided to cancel classes for Jr.K through 12th grade on both campuses on Thursday, December 5.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, December 4th

Ivey Campbell, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, December 5th

Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Mexican Grill, 6-9 PM

Friday, December 6th

Scott Southworth & The Honky Tonk Anonymous Band, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, December 7th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Karli & James, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
World Turning Band, The Mulehouse, 8 PM

Sunday, December 8th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard1-4 PM
County Community Band, Cherry Theater - CSCC, 3 PM
Still Rollin’, The Rebel, 4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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