LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Detective Tommy Houston arrested an East Bernstadt man on Wednesday night June 18, 2025 at approximately 8:45 PM.
The arrest occurred on Willow Branch Road approximately 3 miles north of London following an attempted traffic stop on a yellow Ford Escape that was observed avoiding law enforcement. Detective Houston initiated his emergency equipment to conduct the traffic stop however the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner traveling a short distance to a residence on Willow Branch Road where the driver exited the vehicle and fled inside a residence where he was apprehended by deputies.
Deputies noted that they found two small juveniles unrestrained in the vehicle. The driver, identified as Elmer Santiago Castellon Rodriguez, age 30, of East Bernstadt, KY was determined to be under the influence and arrested.
Elmer Santiago Castellon Rodriguez was charged with:
- Fleeing or evading police – – first-degree – motor vehicle
- No operator's license
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence – first offense
- Two counts of wanton endangerment – second-degree
- Reckless driving
- Two counts of failure to use child restraint device in vehicle
This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photo of the accused is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Assisting at the scene were: Laurel County Sheriff John Root and Detective Sgt. Taylor McDaniel. Also assisting was KSP trooper Trey Lovins.
