LAWRENCE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED AFTER TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DEPUTY BEING HIT WITH CAR WHILE FLEEING FROM THE SCENE
WEBBVILLE RESIDENT WENT FROM ONLY FACING A MOTOR TRAFFIC CITATION, TO FIVE FELONIES, AND OTHER CHARGES AFTER LENGTHY VEHICLE, AND THEN FOOT PURSUIT)
JULY 2, 2020 – written by WADE QUEEN
A Lawrence County man got himself in hot water for basically nothing, after a traffic stop ended up turning into a serious multiple felony incident case late Thursday night.
As of this time, details are scarce, but what is known is at just around 10:00 P.M. Thursday night, Lawrence County Sheriff deputy Paul Wells pulled over a man, who was later identified as Tommy N. Church, 30, of Webbville, Kentucky.
Upon investigation, deputy Wells discovered that Tommy Church was driving while having a suspended driver’s license. From there it is unknown as of now, if deputy Wells wanted Church to exit the vehicle to be arrested, and/or suspected Church driving intoxicated, or if he was just going to give Tommy Church a citation.
But at that moment, the situation apparently quickly went south.
Tommy Church began to drive away, which deputy Wells ordered Church to stop, and attempted to physically block Church’s vehicle. Deputy Wells was then blatantly hit by Tommy Church as he fled away from the scene.
Deputy Wells called for backup, with other officers units joining in a lengthy vehicle pursuit, after which Tommy Church fled from his vehicle, which led to a lengthy foot pursuit.
Tommy Church was finally apprehended by the determined officers who chased after him.
Once in custody, Tommy Church was charged with:
• OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATORS LICENSE,
• ASSAULT, 1ST DEGREE – POLICE OFFICER
• FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE, 1ST DEGREE (ON FOOT),
• FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE, 1ST DEGREE (MOTOR VEHICLE),
• WANTON ENDANGERMENT, 1ST DEGREE
• RESISTING ARREST,
• RECKLESS DRIVING.
Church was transported to and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintville.
It is not at this time what, or if, any injury/injuries deputy Paul Wells may have suffered in the incident.
I thought Paul Wells was a Constable? I could be wrong?