A man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly leading police on a high-speed pursuit through an active construction zone on Interstate 69.
According to an arrest report from the Madisonville Police Department, 26-year-old Jaylen Hoosier of Clarksville, Tenn., is charged with speeding in excess of 26 miles per hour over the limit and 12 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment following a pursuit that stretched into Christian County.
Hoosier is also charged with driving under the influence, first-degree fleeing or evading police, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
At approximately 11:57 a.m., an officer was stationary at the Interstate 69 turn-around near mile marker 118, observing southbound traffic, when the officer saw a silver Toyota Corolla make a quick lane change without using a turn signal.
The officer entered the interstate without activating emergency lights or a siren to observe the vehicle. As the officer approached, the Toyota allegedly began changing lanes rapidly and increasing speed. The vehicle forced other motorists onto the shoulder to avoid a collision, prompting the officer to activate the vehicle’s lights and siren.
The Toyota accelerated to 110 mph and quickly exited at Exit 111. After seeing another police vehicle with its lights and siren activated, the driver made a U-turn near Groves Construction and re-entered the interstate southbound.
The vehicle then entered an active construction zone with workers, construction equipment and one lane of travel. Police said the vehicle traveled through the zone at approximately 100 mph. The driver then used the right shoulder to pass vehicles and continue fleeing, creating heavy dust in the area.
The pursuing officers continued following the vehicle after safely passing through the work zone. The Toyota took the interchange toward Dawson Springs, maintained speeds of approximately 100 mph or more, slowed, entered the median and returned to the interstate traveling north near mile marker 95.
The vehicle continued fleeing north before exiting and traveling south again. Hoosier allegedly passed vehicles on the shoulder when motorists did not move out of the way quickly enough.
Kentucky State Police deployed stop sticks, but the driver maneuvered around them and continued south. The Christian County Sheriff’s Office assisted and deployed additional stop sticks. A Christian County deputy was narrowly missed when Hoosier entered a grassy area to avoid the spike strips.
Christian County deputies performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver, which successfully stopped the vehicle. Jaylen Hoosier was taken into custody and read his Miranda rights.
Hoosier told police he fled because his driver’s license was suspended and that he was trying to return home to Clarksville. He also admitted driving around the spike strips to continue evading police and attempting to reach Tennessee. Hoosier said he could see the police lights and spike strips.
Hoosier was transported to Baptist Health’s emergency room, where he was read the implied consent warning and submitted to a blood test. Results were pending. Standardized field sobriety tests were not conducted because of the nature of the incident.
Hoosier sustained lacerations to his right leg. He was treated at the hospital, cleared for incarceration and transported to the Christian County Detention Center.
Twelve workers were present and walking along the interstate in the construction zone between mile markers 111 and 109 when Hoosier allegedly entered the area at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Additional criminal charges from Christian County are expected.