A lengthy, late-night pursuit through Ohio and Daviess counties ended just before the chase entered Grayson County on Owensboro Road (Hwy 54).
Sunday night at approximately 10:30, Ohio County deputies spotted a speeding motorist and upon running the license plate through dispatch discovered the vehicle, a truck, was stolen out of Owensboro, according to Ohio County Sheriff Adam Wrights.
Deputies pursued the truck to the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-165 before losing sight of the suspect.
A Kentucky State Police trooper, though, soon spotted the fleeing vehicle and picked up the pursuit, following the truck, being driven by 39-year-old Scott Murphy, of Hopkinsville, into Daviess County.
“Once the troopers got to the bypass in Owensboro, the vehicle was out of sight and the pursuit was terminated,” Wright stated.
Approximately one hour after the pursuit ended, an Ohio County deputy and trooper patrolling in Fordsville observed the truck on Hwy 54. They initiated another pursuit, as the truck traveled east toward Grayson County.
Law enforcement in Grayson County was notified, with Deputy Andy Cast positioning himself on Hwy 54 near the Ohio/Grayson County line. Leitchfield officers Taylor Wright and Hunter Miller staged inside the city limits on Hwy 54 (West Main Street).
But, as Murphy drove past the intersection with Hwy 110, he entered a hayfield just a few miles before entering Grayson County. The Ohio County deputy followed. Both Murphy and the deputy became stuck in mud, as Murphy exited the truck and fled on foot.
A foot pursuit ensued as the suspect ran into the woods. The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was summoned to the scene, and a drone was put into the air, as police located Murphy hiding behind a residence. He was arrested without further incident.
The suspect was charged with receiving stolen property (more than $10,000), first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police (on foot, motor vehicle), resisting arrest, reckless driving, and speeding (26 mph or more over the limit) along with several moving and non-moving violations.
(Headline photo: Scott Murphy being taken into custody by an Ohio County deputy)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
