Chaos and close calls reigned in Leitchfield as a drunk Big Clifty man hit 11 cars while fleeing police on South Main Street.
A GMC Sierra truck police had been looking for since early Thursday afternoon fled Leitchfield Police Officer Kelsey Overton at approximately 5:30 Thursday evening, striking 11 vehicles as the driver sped south on South Main Street.
Police began searching for the truck around 3:15 Thursday afternoon after a third-party reported to Grayson County Central Dispatch that a white GMC Sierra truck had been involved in a hit-and-run (no one from the vehicle that was struck notified authorities).
Then, at approximately 4:45, the truck, being driven by 40-year-old Christopher Lee Bell, nearly struck a road worker near the intersection of the William Thomason Byway and Grayson Springs Road. After nearly striking the worker, Bell exited his truck and began arguing with the workers before leaving the area.
Just before 5:30, Overton spotted the truck as it drove on Hendricks Street, and pulled in behind the GMC on North English Street. Bell fled as Overton tried to conduct a traffic stop, making his way south around the Leitchfield Public Square where he struck a vehicle.
Bell continued south on South Main, with Grayson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Fred Norder blocking traffic at the intersection of West White Oak and South Main. Bell sped through the intersection at 50 to 60 miles per hour, according to police, and increased his speed as he continued traveling south.
At the intersection of South Main and the bypass, Bell struck the rear of a Chevrolet Cobalt stopped in the right lane, nearly ripping the rear driver’s side tire off the vehicle. According to a Leitchfield fireman who happened to witness the collision, the impact sent the GMC onto two wheels as it drove between a Chevrolet Silverado truck (in the left lane), and a Honda Accord, Nissan Murano and Toyota Prius (all in the right lane).
All the vehicles suffered serious damage except the Prius, which had the passenger side mirror sheared off. None of the 13 occupants of the vehicles struck reported being injured.
The GMC then bounced onto three wheels (one of the truck’s wheels was ripped off) before driving onto the sidewalk in front of Auto Smart, hitting five of the business’s cars in the process, bringing the chase to an end.
Bell was taken into custody within seconds by Overton and LPD Officer DJ Newton.
He has been charged with 13 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, DUI (aggravating circumstances), resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, careless driving, disregarding a traffic control device, disregarding a stop sign, and failure to wear a seat belt.
Bell was taken to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center for medical clearance and then lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.
Assisting Overton at the scene were LPD Sgt. Robert Jackson and Newton, as well as Grayson County Deputy Andy Vincent, Norder and Sheriff Norman Chaffins. The Leitchfield Fire Department responded and provided traffic control and cleanup. EMS also arrived and treated Bell’s minor injuries at the scene.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
