A Caneyville man has been arrested after leading Leitchfield police on a high-speed chase and ramming a patrol car twice during the pursuit.
The chase began at approximately 1:30 Tuesday morning when Leitchfield Police Department Sgt. Keith Harrell and Officer Brandon Puckett were alerted by central dispatch that cars were racing on North Main Street. As Harrell was en route, he observed an Oldsmobile Alero, being driven by 26-year-old Travis Ray England, traveling 55 miles per hour south on North Main Street, near the intersection of Mill Street.
As Harrell turned around to execute a traffic stop, England fled, turning onto Owensboro Road at the Leitchfield Public Square roundabout He continued fleeing, turning onto Quarry Road before turning onto Beaver Dam Road and then Shrewsbury Road.
With speeds reaching over 80 miles per hour, England stopped his vehicle and backed up, slamming the rear of his car into the front of Harrell’s cruiser. The suspect continued to flee, eventually turning onto Caney Creek Road. Once on Caney Creek Road, England again stopped the car and backed up into the front of Harrell’s cruiser.
From Caney Creek Road, England turned onto Layman Road, and about a quarter-mile before arriving at his residence, he tossed something out of the car window. England then turned into his driveway in the 1700 block of Layman Road, and was arrested by Harrell and Puckett without further incident.
Grayson County Deputy Zane Greer recovered the baggie England tossed out of his window. It contained what appeared to be methamphetamine.
England was charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, three counts of first-degree assault of a police officer, fleeing or evading police, tampering with physical evidence, DUI (aggravating circumstances), and speeding 26 mph over the limit.
The investigation continues and additional charges are possible.
Other than Puckett and Greer, assisting Harrell at the scene was Officer Tim Moutardier.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com