South Knoxville business owner reacts after police chase ends in car crashing into business

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A man and a woman are behind bars following a police chase with Knox County Sheriff’s deputies ended with a car through the front of the business.

Previous Coverage: Car chase ends in suspect crashing into business, Knox County sheriff says

The business was Thai Time along Chapman Highway.

”Kind of confused. Still trying to figure things out; kind of shock and awe,” said owner Jay Pomanee.

Pomanee and another were outside their business Monday, cleaning up what was left of the business.

”We’re picking up the pieces, trying to salvage any inventory that we can,” said Pomanee.

The business has existed for just about a year and a half, opening in October 2022, but now with a big window covered by plyboard, the future is unclear.

”It’s going to take some time and a lot of effort and do renovations and repairs, everything,” said Pomanee.

The business’s security camera alerted them to something being off in the store. Initially, they were concerned it was a break in, but the reality was much different.

”We thought someone broke in, but that’s when we saw the scene and the car in the restaurant, and that’s when we found someone drove through,” said Pomanee.

Now with a boarded up front window and significant damage, Pomanee and the rest are turning to the community for support.

”We were just surprised by the compassion and the outpouring of love,” said Pomanee. ”It’s been pretty incredible that the community has reached out to us, regular customers, and also people who have never heard of us before and just people living in the neighborhood, the upstairs apartment even. People have offered to come help cleanup and offered financial support.”

James Maiden and Marley Pierson were both arrested and face multiple charges after police say they found what’s believed to be meth, heroin and fentanyl in the car.

Previous Coverage: Report outlines details of Knox County car chase that ended in suspect hitting business

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