Failing to stop at a Tennessee Highway Patrol seatbelt checkpoint on Highway 56 Friday proved to be a big mistake for a Cookeville man, who compounded that error by attempting to run from troopers.

After failing to stop, the driver threw what appeared to be drugs out of the window and continued driving north on State Highway 56 into Putnam County. Troopers Jackson and Delong pursued the vehicle on Old Baxter Road until the vehicle crashed east of the Boma Community Center in Baxter.

While not injured in the wreck, the driver, Christopher Todd Montgomery, was arrested.

Contraband seized during the ensuing search included seven bags of a clear rock-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, totaling 4.93 ounces; one bag, 6.6 grams, of marijuana; seven Xanax pills; three other pills listed as controlled substances; one .380 caliber handgun; one .22 caliber handgun; and various types of illegal drug paraphernalia

Christopher Todd Montgomery of Cookeville has been charged with evading arrest by use of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, possession of Schedule II controlled substance for resale/delivery, simple possession of Schedules II, III, IV and VI controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, reckless endangerment, possession of a handgun while under the influence of an intoxicant, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, driving under the influence-1st offense, driving on a revoked driver’s license, reckless driving, altering a license plate, and four other miscellaneous traffic offenses.