MARTIN CO., KY MAN ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING POLICE PURSUIT, DAMAGES SHERIFF DEPUTIES CRUISER LEADING TO WILD RUMORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
INACCURATE GOSSIP SPREAD ONLINE OF SUPPOSED SHOOTOUT, BUT ACTUAL EVENT SOMEWHAT MORE EMBARRASSING FOR THE DEPUTIES INVOLVED IN THE CHASE
OCTOBER 29, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
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HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE PEDAL TO FULL LEAD, AND NEARLY GOT LEAD IN HIS BACKSIDE: CHRISTOPHER S. PREECE, 53, OF TOMAHAWK, KENTUCKY; WHO INTENTIONALLY DROVE HIS SIDE BY SIDE UTV TO NEARLY ATOP A DEPUTY’S CRUISER
A Martin County, Kentucky man is facing felony charges after allegedly ramming a Martin County Sheriff Office deputy’s cruiser with a side-by-side on Muncy Cemetery Road and fleeing into the hills on Sunday, October 25.
Kentucky State Police-Post 14 Ashland troopers arrested Christopher S. Preece, 53, of Tomahawk, KY., on Monday evening, October 26, in Lawrence County.
The incident sparked reports of a shootout involving Martin County Sheriff Office deputy John C. Kirk.
Martin County Sheriff John H. Kirk said those reports were inaccurate; however, deputy John Kirk fired one shot as the suspect allegedly attempted to run over his cruiser.
Deputy John C. Kirk along with Deputy Zack Waller initially responded to Muncy Cemetery Road after dispatch received a report of a man and woman arguing near a cemetery around midnight.
“Another call came in saying that five gunshots were fired in the vicinity,” Sheriff John Kirk said. “They had another prisoner in the booking room, but they knew they had to take that call. And they knew they could be walking into a hostile environment.”
The deputies requested backup from Kentucky State Police. As they traveled the narrow road, they spotted headlights approaching. Deputy John Kirk activated his emergency lights, but the approaching side-by-side did not stop.
The side-by-side struck the cruiser, climbing onto its hood and causing substantial damage.
“He tore our cruiser up from one end to the other and eventually got by and fled,” according to Sheriff John Kirk.
The driver turned onto Thurman Moore Road, which provides access to Martin County Coal property, and eluded authorities.
“The deputies tried to catch up, but the side-by-side can run 100 miles per hour,” Sheriff John Kirk said.
Deputies reportedly recognized Christoper Preece during the confrontation.
“Deputy John Kirk positively identified him,” the sheriff said. “He looked right at him when he struck our cruiser.”
Initial reports circulating about the incident claimed a man had been shot several times during a police pursuit, rammed police vehicles and abandoned a woman screaming at a cemetery on Emily Creek.
Sheriff John Kirk disputed those accounts that were spread on social media and elsewhere in the local communities areas of Martin County.
Sheriff Kirk confirmed that Deputy Kirk discharged his firearm once as the side-by-side driver allegedly attempted to run over the cruiser. The shot struck the patrol vehicle rather than the suspect.
“The bullet became lodged in the cruiser and the Kentucky State Police recovered it,” Sheriff John Kirk said.
Law enforcement authorities also investigated reports involving the woman that Preece allegedly left at the cemetery.
“Deputies returned to the cemetery, but she had walked off and went to a house down the road,” Kirk said.
A caller later provided the woman’s location. Deputies contacted her and made sure she returned home safely.
They deputies recovered a handgun that the woman had in her possession.
“We were told the male had another pistol on him,” Sheriff John Kirk said.
The sheriff’s office obtained arrest warrants for ChrsitopherPreece, and Kentucky State Police took him into custody in Lawrence County Monday evening.
Christopher Preece faces the charges of:
*FLEEING OR ELUDING POLICE, 1ST DEGREE (MOTOR VEHICLE); and
*CRIMINAL MISCHIEF-1ST DEGREE.
Christopher Preece was transported to and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville in Johnson County, KY., where has since afterwards posted his bond, and he was subsequently released from the BSRDC jail
