What allegedly began as a domestic dispute escalated into violence that resulted in the death of a Cookeville man Saturday. 

Fatally injured in the drive of his own home Saturday evening was Ernest Preston Fulton, 71 of Pine Hill Road Cookeville.  Fulton, 71, reportedly died in Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga of injuries sustained from a vehicle that struck him in his drive, according to police reports. 

Anthony Lee Curtis, 47, of Cab Anderson Lane in Jackson County was arrested and has been charged with homicide and assault.

The warrants issued in the case stated that  Curtis committed criminal homicide "by causing injuries which killed the victim."

Further, the warrants state that Curtis committed domestic assault against Tammy Pippin "by striking her in the head with his fist, causing visible injuries and placing her in fear of imminent bodily harm."

Finally, the warrants claim that Curtis committed aggravated assault by intentionally "running over two people with his vehicle after an argument and then left the scene without offering to render any aid,"  though both victims "were hospitalized with serious injuries."

After an investigation,  Curtis was held without bond on the homicide charge until his appearance in General Sessions Court today.

Deputy Buhl was the first on the scene, reporting that he was dispatched to 1562 N. Pine Hill Road at 1532 on a disturbance where two people were reportedly run over. 

The following are exerpts from Officer Buhl's report, providing detail on the case:

            " The report from dispatch stated a white Ford truck had left the scene toward Garrison Road and was being driven by Tony   Curtis.  Upon arrival I observed several people in and around the driveway area and one person lying on the ground with someone holding his head.  I approache the person on the ground and found it to be Earnest Fulton.  Mr. Fulton had blood ocming from his head, his right wrist appeared to be injured and he was pale in color.   He seemed to be struggling for breath but was conscious. 

             * A female, identified as his neighbor, was holding a towel on the wound on his head.  I asked her to secure his neck and for another female on the scene to hold pressure on his head wound.  EMS was asked to respond as soon as I exited my car. 

             * I then spoke with Tammy Pippin who was the other victim and observed some scratches on her back as well as some blood behind her ear.  She stated that she, Mr. Fulton and her boyfriend Anthony Lee Curtis had been at home in Jackson County when she and Mr. Curtis began arguing.  She stated that Mr. Curtis wouldn't let her use the truck but agreed to take her and Mr. Fulton to Mr. Fulton's address on N. Pine Hill. 

              *  According to Ms. Pippin, Mr. Curtis became irate and began striking her while driving not long after they entered Putnam County. 

               *  She stated he struck her multiple times and that Mr. Fulton continually asked him to stop.   They reached the address and according to her, Mr. Curtis drove into the driveway and Mr. Fulton exited the truck from the passenger side. 

               *  She stated that while trying to exit the vehicle herself, Mr. Curtis continued to strike her.  According to Ms. Pippin she and Mr. Fulton were both out of the truck and she was standing between the open door and the truck.  She stated that without warning, Mr. Curtis jerked the truck in reverse and backed up, causing the truck door to strike her and knocking both her and Mr. Fulton to the ground.

                *   She stated the door caused her to be drug a short distance while Mr. Fulton was drug further.  She then stated that she got up and yelled for Mr. Curtis to stop and help  as she could tell that Mr. Fulton was injured.

I notifed dispatch to contact Jackson County to be on the look out for a white Ford truck being driven by Mr. Curtis and that it was possibly at or en route to 495 Cab Anderson Road.    EMS arrived and placed Mr. Fulton in the ambulance. 

                 *  At that time I transported Ms. Pippin to the ER to be checked and began the domestic violence paperwork as well as a follow up on Mr. Fulton's injuries once the ambulance arrived. 

                *  Mr. Fulton was airlifted and warrants were issued for aggravated assault and domestic violence with bond conditions before officer Buhl learned that Mr. Fulton did not survive. 

                *   Officers were sent to the crime scene to secure the area as well as to the ER to sit with Ms. Pippin.  Mr. Curtis was trasnported to Putnam County by deputy Jaimie Hunter where he was informed that he was not under arrest but that he was part of an investigation.

Fulton, a General Motors retiree,  will have funeral services Thursday at Cookeville Funeral Home.