Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Saint Joseph Man Found, Arrested After Two Days Missing
Authorities reported Wednesday that a Saint Joseph man who had gone missing for two days in the wake of a car crash was subsequently taken into custody on related charges.
An official search effort was initiated Wednesday morning in the hopes of locating forty-nine year old Joseph Clyde Hammond. Family members reported Hammond had been involved in a car crash before midnight on Monday, January 14 in the area of Fairview and South Old Military Roads.
A passenger in the vehicle reported that Hammond was injured and they had become separated while walking to find help. Family members said he had not been seen or heard from since.
A center of operations was established Wednesday morning and several agencies 
gathered to participate in the search. Just before 4:00 p.m. a relative reported finding Hammond walking along Highway 43.
A press release was issued through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday evening, indicating that Hammond had been taken into custody.
It indicates that, “With discrepancies in his story of his whereabouts and evidence contradicting him being exposed to the elements, he was arrested by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for charges related to the motor vehicle accident…
Evidence has also been gathered and other charges could be pending against Hammond and others believed to be connected to this incident.”
Investigation into the matter is on-going at the current time.
