Hermitage Man Burns 'Evil' Van, Then Things Get Weird

SPRINGFIELD, TN — Springfield Police arrested 49-year-old Stephen Comiskey Thursday after he allegedly claimed he set his van on fire because there was "evil" inside. Meanwhile, 40 miles in Hermitage, the house where Comiskey lived "exploded," according to his neighbors.

And that van? It's the same one Comiskey was driving back in August when he pulled over on the Silliman Evans Bridge near downtown Nashville and jumped in the Cumberland River with his 12-year-old daughter.

Around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Comiskey and his wife, Donie Ruth Comiskey, poured gasoline throughout the interior of the van, lit it and put it into gear in the parking lot of Springfield's KFC, police told the Smokey Barn News. The burning van came to a stop just short of Memorial Boulevard, across which the Comiskeys ran while carrying a metal box and a small dog. They then broke the glass window of a business, police said, before an officer stopped them. Mr. Comiskey then allegedly grabbed the officer by the neck, ripped off his badge and slammed him into a car. The Springfield officer tried to tase him, which had little effect, as Comiskey ran across a parking lot before being subdued by bystanders.

Once in custody, Comiskey allegedly told police he came to Springfield to save the world and burned his vehicle because there was "evil in the van." In the fray, the small dog ran on to busy Memorial Boulevard and was hit by a car, though he managed to avoid capture before Robertson County Animal Control got him into an animal crate. The pup suffered a leg injury but should be OK, the Smokey Mountain News reports.

Meanwhile, in Hermitage, Comiskey's Hallford Court home "exploded" Thursday night.

“When I looked over to the house, the flames were 20 feet high. I could see the house crumble down from how hot it was,” neighbor Lance Fischel told WSMV. “Then I could see the siding starting to burn away on my house. I could see the fire going across the grass. It was about three feet from my house before they put that out.”

Police and fire officials are investigating the blaze.

In Springfield, Mr. Comiskey is charged with evading arrest and assault on a police officer. Mrs. Comiskey was charged with public intoxication and burglary. More charges may be coming for both.

Watch Now: Man Burns Van Because It Was 'Evil'

Photo via Metro Nashville Police