LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Lieut. Chris Edwards attempted a traffic stop on a maroon colored Pontiac Grand Prix on Friday afternoon December 11, 2020 at approximately 1:18 PM on Highway 1376 approximately 6 miles north of London.
The vehicle failed to stop fleeing at a high rate of speed onto Jackson Road, to Arthur Ridge Road, to Four Oaks Rd. and traveled into a wooded area failing to stop for the woods and continued to flee down trails clipping trees and striking large rocks with its undercarriage.
Lieut.Chris Edwards along with other detectives and deputies continued into the wooded area in their department issued four-wheel-drive pickups and with assistance from the East Bernstadt Fire and Rescue utilizing their side-by-side were able to locate the suspect vehicle deep in the woods.
Then, the male driver and female passenger fled on foot through thickets and briar patches but were caught by pursuing detectives and deputies who arrested the two subjects without further incident.
Sheriff's investigators noted that the suspect vehicle lost its bumper, outside trim to the vehicle, door handles, and outside mirrors including damage to the undercarriage causing the suspects to become disabled in the thickly wooded area there.
The male driver stated the reason for fleeing was that he had just taken a big shot of Crystal Methamphetamine and was afraid to stop for law enforcement.
The two arrested individuals were identified as:
Dustin L. Patterson age 27 of Four Oaks Rd., East Bernstadt charged with:
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence – first offense
- Speeding more than 20 mph over the limit
- Improper passing
- Reckless driving
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – on foot
- Operating on suspended or revoked operator's license
- Possession of Drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a Controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of a Controlled substance – third-degree
In addition, this subject was wanted on a Laurel Circuit Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear for sentencing regarding charges of:
- Wanton endangerment – first-degree
- Assault – second-degree
- Burglary – second-degree
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – on foot
- Assault 4th degree
- Public intoxication – Controlled substances
- Persistent felony offender I
Cassi C. Colston age 25 of Four Oaks Rd., East Bernstadt charged with:
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – on foot
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of Drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a controlled substance – third-degree
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of accused attached are courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photo of suspect vehicle deep in the woods with severe damage to the vehicle because of the rough terrain it had driven into attached to this report.
Assisting for the Laurel County Sheriff's office on the pursuit, at the scene, and with the arrest were:
- Laurel County Sheriff John Root
- Maj. Chuck Johnson
- Capt. Robbie Grimes
- Lieut. Chris Edwards
- Detective Taylor McDaniel
- Detective Robert Reed
- Deputy Charlie Johnson
- Bailiff Jacklyn Johnson
- Bailiff Roy Ball
Special thanks to the East Bernstadt Fire and Rescue for supplying their side-by-side to assist Sheriff's investigators in the thick wooded area in locating the suspects.
