LONDON, KY (March 16, 2022) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Kentucky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff's Office with assistance from London City Police successfully and safely arrested a male suspect who attempted to flee from officers following an attempted traffic stop along I–75 on Tuesday afternoon March 15, 2022 approximately 1:50 PM.
Laurel County Sheriff's deputies were apprised that Kentucky State Police had attempted a stop on a white colored Dodge Durango at mile marker 83 on southbound I–75 in Madison county and that the vehicle had initially stopped, but then had sped away as Trooper J. Giles walked up to the vehicle.
State Police stayed with the vehicle through Rockcastle County and as it entered into Laurel County and were met with assistance from the Laurel County Sheriff's office at the Laurel/ Rockcastle County line on I–75. The vehicle continued southbound on I–75 failing to stop passing both London exits where London City Police were stationed to block the exits.
The vehicle continued southbound on I–75 traveling in the emergency lane followed by Laurel Sheriff's deputies and Kentucky State Police.
At the state police weigh scale house near mile marker 35, Kentucky State Police attempted to deploy stingers, however the suspect was able to avoid the stingers and continued southbound on I-75.
At one point the suspect attempted to swerve into Laurel County Sheriff John Root, narrowly missing him.
At exit 29, the northernmost Corbin exit, Laurel Sheriff's Sgt. Brett Reeves deployed stingers and was able to deflate two tires on the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect continued southbound on I–75 approximately 4 miles as the vehicle's tires deflated and the suspect attempted to drive on the vehicle's rims and the vehicle eventually lost control and became disabled on the emergency lane where the suspect was taken into custody following a brief struggle with deputies.
Total distance traveled was 58 miles spanning 4 counties.
The suspect arrested is identified as:
Marcel Dashawn Burdett, age 23 of Knoxville, Tennessee charged with
- Reckless driving
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Speeding more than 26 miles per hour over the limit
- No operator's license
- Wanton endangerment – first-degree
- Wanton endangerment – first-degree – police officer is victim
This individual was lodged Laurel County Detention Center.
Photo of accused attached is courtesy of Laurel County Detention center.
This subject stated that he failed to stop for the trooper because he did not have a valid license and did not want to go to jail in Kentucky.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated that cooperation between agencies resulted in a successful and safe outcome.
Also assisting was: Whitley County Sheriff's office, Corbin Police Department, and Williamsburg Police Department.
