Chattanooga police say man shoved into traffic

photo Steven Lamount Williams

VIDEO

This story is featured in today's TimesFreePress newscast.

Chattanooga police are seeking a man suspected of shoving another into oncoming traffic on Brainerd Road, where he was struck and killed.

Police have a warrant for criminal homicide for Stephen Lamount Williams, 41, in the death of Steven Albert Cran.

"Two people were involved in an argument and one was pushed into the roadway," said homicide investigator Jay Montgomery. "A cooperative investigation between major crimes and the traffic division revealed a homicide. Identified a suspect."

A medical examiner's report shows Cran, 58, was strangled and suffered blunt force injuries from being struck by a vehicle in the 5900 block of Brainerd Road just before midnight May 28. He died at the scene. Williams already had fled when police arrived.

"As far as the motivation for the incident, it has yet to be determined," he said.

Williams has prior convictions for domestic assault, theft, public intoxication, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct. Cran had pending charges of public intoxication and theft. This year he was convicted of assault, public intoxication and theft.

Both men are listed as homeless. In 2011, Williams was charged with aggravated domestic assault and pleaded to a lesser charge after he kicked and slapped his wife and chased her with a knife.

Off-duty Chattanooga police investigator John Patterson saw the woman running down the street and told her to get into his personal vehicle.

The woman told police that Williams said, "I'm going to kill you and if I can't I will get the kids and your family." Williams received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days.

Cran's death marks 13 homicides the city has investigated this year. Including this recent case, the city made arrests in nine cases, or 69 percent. Anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts can contact Chattanooga police at 423-698-2525.

Contact staff writer Beth Burger at bburger@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6406. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/abburger.

Upcoming Events