Wartrace man attacked in home

John Smith suffered head lacerations requiring 60 stitches while fending off the intruder who entered his Church Street residence shortly after midnight, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.

"He said he was in his bedroom and heard the back door of his residence break open," Deputy Jimmy Rhodes said. "He got up and a white man wearing a blue winter coat had entered. The man then began to beat him in the head."

Authorities said Smith was unable to tell if he was struck by an object or the intruder's hands.

Smith told Rhodes he fought back and attempted to grab the man and take him to the nearby home of his brother.

The intruder ran from the home after Smith lost his grip and was last seen running down railroad tracks near the home, Rhodes said.

Smith went to the home of his brother, Charles Smith, who took him to Heritage Medical Center where he was treated for the head cuts and hand injuries, according to Rhodes.

Detective Sgt. Scott Jones and Detective Sgt. David Sakich arrived at the home at 2:27 a.m. and searched the area for the intruder without success, Rhodes' report said.