KSP arrests woman after high-speed chase
Published 4:08 pm Friday, March 15, 2019
A woman is facing multiple charges, including assault of a police officer, after allegedly stealing a car and hitting a Kentucky State Police trooper.
Abbigal Thomas, 20, of Cawood, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on March 12.
According to the citation, KSP troopers were attempting to locate a stolen vehicle in Cawood. KSP Lt. Jason Bunch pulled Thomas over after observing her allegedly driving the vehicle and not wearing seat belts, along with other passengers. She told Bunch she didn’t have a license, so he obtained one from a passenger in the vehicle.
After trying to identify them, one of the male passengers began yelling for Thomas to go. Bunch instructed her to step out of the vehicle and attempted to open the door, when Thomas pulled the door closed and accelerated rapidly, striking Bunch and causing him to go across the back end of the vehicle.
Thomas drove down an embankment and through a wooded area from U.S. 421 to KY 3001, driving off at a high rate of speed, according to the citation.
Bunch was able to get back to his feet and began pursuing the vehicle on foot and then in his cruiser. Bunch lost sight of the vehicle, and additional units responded after receiving information of the vehicle on Thomas Branch Road near Cawood.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers determined the vehicle was unoccupied in a private cemetery. Troopers again received information that Thomas was allegedly walking on the railroad tracks on KY 3001.
According to the citation, KSP Sgt. Jared Boggs responded and was told they ran into a residence when he arrived. Boggs knocked on the door, and Thomas and a male passenger ran out the back.
Additional units responded and located Thomas hiding under another residence. Thomas said she only ran because she was told to and that one of the passengers had a gun. Thomas said she didn’t mean to hit Bunch, and Thomas added she knew she was running from KSP the entire time the citation states.
After taking Thomas into custody, it was determined her license was suspended.
Bunch was still being treated Tuesday for his injuries sustained at the time of arrest.
Thomas was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, reckless driving, second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, license to be in possession, third-degree criminal trespassing, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Thomas was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a total of $23,500 full cash bond.
In other police activity:
• Frankie Noe, 33, was arrested by Harlan City Police Department officers on March 6. He was charged with shoplifting (under $500), public intoxication of controlled substance (excluding alcohol), second-degree possession of controlled substance, prescription controlled substance without proper container, first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) and first-degree promotion of contraband. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with two $10,000 full cash bonds, both with 10 percent of bail credit;
• Stephanie Crow, 39, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on March 10. She was charged with receiving stolen property (under $10,000). She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on an unsecured bond of $2,500;
• Joanna Harris, 41, of Corbin, was arrested by Harlan City Police Department officers on March 11. She was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified) and prescription controlled substance without proper container. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1,500 full cash bond;
• Dennis Grubbs, 32, of Cawood, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Department deputies on March 11. He was charged with second-degree burglary and was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,500 full cash bond;
• Nancy Mefford, 52, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Department officers on March 11. She was charged with first-degree trafficking of controlled substance more than 2 grams (methamphetamine), trafficking marijuana (less than 8 ounces) and non-payment of fines. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $5,000 full cash bond and pay or stay of $283;
• Jessica Smith, 28, of Closplint, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on March 11. She was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), second- and third-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified), prescription controlled substance without proper container, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $250 full cash bond.