A 35-year-old McMinnville man was arrested by city police last week after a hit-and-run accident resulted in the alleged discovery of a meth lab in his vehicle.

Marlin Ray Pinkard was charged with aggravated assault, evading arrest, and a fifth offense of driving on a revoked license after hitting a local man with his car following a disagreement on April 11. Police said Pinkard struck Johnny Murphy in front of Murphy's Hayes Street residence, and after he was apprehended he was found to be in possession of several illegal items. His passenger, 32-year-old Shana Nicole Smiley of Smithville, was charged as well.

Pinkard and Smiley were both charged with initiation of methamphetamine in connection with the incident.

"Last night Smithville Police responded to a call at 420 Hayes Street,” said Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins. “Upon arrival we learned that there had been a hit and run. A vehicle driven by Pinkard had run over Mr. Murphy causing a serious leg injury and had left the scene. Murphy was transported to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by EMS where he was treated and released.”

Police tracked Pinkard’s car down at Mapco Express.

“After officers arrived at Mapco, they spotted Mr. Pinkard coming out of the store. When Pinkard saw them, he went back in the store and tried to empty his pockets. Officers confronted Pinkard and found pills in his possession believed to be Suboxone. Pinkard was then placed under arrest," Collins said.

The chief said a search of the vehicle turned up a passenger and a meth lab.

“When we went to his car we found Shana Nicole Smiley sitting in the passenger seat. After she was asked to get out of the car, we saw, in plain view, a plastic bottle containing a sludge-like material consistent with the manufacture of meth. The substance was later identified as a one-pot meth lab by the Tennessee Meth Task Force, who came to the scene to assist in the investigation. Also found in the car was an opened cold pack, lithium batteries, and a glass pipe with residue. Smiley was then placed under arrest,” said the chief.

Pinkard’s bonds total $58,500. Smiley's bond was set at $35,000. They will appear in court on April 28.