UPDATE 10:00 AM – The Greene County Sheriff’s Department has identified the man who was wanted by authorities and jumped into the Nolichucky Sunday to avoid capture. Bryan Rasnake is charged with criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, evading arrest and public intoxication.
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When you hear of suspect evading arrest, you usually think patrol cars, flashing lights and highways. Sunday’s pursuit involved rescue boats, riverbanks and a suspect who spent more than two hours floating down the Nolichucky River while refusing to come ashore. It covered roughly three miles and lasted more than two hours ended Sunday evening on the Nolichucky River.
First responders were called to assist with a water rescue. Authorities said Rasnake, who was evading arrest by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department climbed onto a rock cliff near David Crockett State Park. When deputies attempted to make contact with him, he jumped into the Nolichucky River. He then floated and swam with the current while refusing repeated commands to come ashore.
The Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad responded with two boats and eight members. The Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department also responded, launching a boat from the River Village area off Ripley Island Road. Tusculum personnel navigated upstream through the shoals while Rescue Squad members launched their boats farther upstream from the suspect’s location. The three rescue boats were supported by Greene County Sheriff’s Department deputies who followed along riverbanks and nearby roads as Rasnake continued downstream. Authorities said he remained verbally combative with rescuers throughout the incident.
About an hour after entering the river, he floated beneath Earnest Bridge on Chuckey Pike, approximately 1.5 miles from where he first entered the water. By 6:30 p.m., he had drifted past the bridge and reached the end of Old Fort Lane. Just before 7 p.m., Rasnake accepted a life jacket and a bottle of water from first responders. He continued floating downstream while rescue crews maintained a safe distance but remained close enough to intervene if needed. As he approached the area known as Earnest Shoals off Earnest Road, he exited the river. Authorities reported he was taken into custody near Ebenezer Methodist Church around 7:15 p.m.
No injuries were reported among first responders or the suspect.
