Explosive device found in vehicle of man who overdosed

A convenience store was temporarily closed for business early Sunday morning after a possible improvised explosive device (IED) was found inside a vehicle where the driver is believed to have overdosed.

Officers responded to the parking lot of a business in the 2000 block of S. Church St., around 12:53 a.m., Sept. 22, to assist personnel with Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services (RCEMS) and Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department with a possible overdose. While the unresponsive man, Christian Benson, 46, of Murfreesboro, was being treated, officers observed what appeared to be an IED, drugs, and a digital scale.

Benson was transported by RCEMS to Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital where he was treated, later discharged and then arrested.

Benson has been charged with Possession of Prohibited Weapons (explosive), Felony Possession of Schedule II, and Simple Possession of Schedule VI.

He was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team responded to the scene and took possession of the device for further testing.