A Jefferson man was taken into custody over the weekend after allegedly hitting the victim’s vehicle with his mother’s car, fleeing the scene and suspected substance use. According to Greene County District Court records, authorities were called to the intersection of North Mulberry and East Central Street in Jefferson at approximately 8:25 p.m. on Jan. 23, where 45-year-old Christopher Herbert Lawrence was reported to strike the victim’s car multiple times with his mother’s vehicle, which was later reported stolen, on the rear and driver’s side until the victim’s vehicle was disabled. Lawrence then fled the scene on foot. It was reported by the victim that the day prior to the incident, Lawrence allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she spoke to law enforcement about a pending domestic abuse case from Oct. 2025. Authorities later located Lawrence in the 300 block of North High Street and attempted to make contact with him, but he took off on foot again. He was apprehended a short time later and transported to Greene County Medical Center for suspected frostbite. At the hospital, law enforcement observed Lawrence to be displaying erratic and fidgety behavior, later admitting to using methamphetamine before the incident but refused to give a urine sample for testing. Lawrence remains in custody at the Greene County Jail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 28. He is facing several charges, including: attempted murder, a class B felony, willful injury causing injury and domestic abuse assault third or subsequence offense, both class D felonies, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, driving while barred, operating vehicle without owner’s consent and operating under the influence second offense, all aggravated misdemeanor and leaving the scene of an accident, a serious misdemeanor. If convicted, Lawrence can face a maximum sentence of over 43 years in prison and fines of over $54,000.
