Woman arrested after striking tow truck
Published 3:23 pm Tuesday, April 9, 2019
A woman is facing charges, including wanton endangerment, after allegedly striking a tow truck, knocking a person to the ground.
Juanita Lawson, 35, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan City Police Department officers on April 7.
According to the citation, Pennington Towing Service was towing a vehicle on the side of U.S. 421. Emergency lights were on both the police vehicle and the towing vehicle while lanes of traffic were blocked. Lawson allegedly disregarded the lights and struck the tow truck, throwing at individual off the back of the truck and onto the ground.
Lawson showed signs of impairment, but could not comply with any other tests due to her injuries. Lawson allegedly told officers she had taken Suboxone and Neurontin before being taken to Harlan ARH for treatment.
While being treated, Lawson was given 15 minutes to contact and communicate with an attorney as stated in the citation. Lawson was unable to contact an attorney and then consented for her blood to be drawn by ARH staff.
Prior to the collision, Lawson was at the Quality Inn hotel, where hotel staff advised she was in her vehicle passed out. Staff also advised officers that Lawson woke up and drove away in her vehicle.
Lawson was unable to provide proof of insurance.
Lawson was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, failure to produce insurance card, failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, operation of motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs/alcohol, reckless driving and identity theft. She was also charged with two counts failure to appear and shoplifting (under $500) stemming from acts committed prior to April 7.
Lawson was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,500 full cash bond and an additional $1,000 full cash bond.
In other police activity:
• Charles Goins, 47, of Harlan, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on March 29. He was charged with probation violation (for felony offense). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $3,500 full cash bond;
• Stephen Simpson, 32, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on March 31. He was charged with third-degree burglary and was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $500 full cash bond;
• Jesse Faukner, 27, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on April 4. He was charged with third-degree possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property (firearm). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $500 full cash bond;
• Stephen Golden, 40, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on April 5. He was charged with first-degree trafficking controlled substance (less than 2 grams methamphetamine), first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence and contempt of court. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $3,500 full cash bond;
• Christopher Blanton, 34, of Mary Alice, was arrested by Harlan City Police Department officers on April 5. He was charged with public intoxication of controlled substance (excluding alcohol), possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) and contempt of court. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1,500 full cash bond;
• Crystal Day, 40, of Harlan, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on April 5. She was charged as a fugitive from another state and was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $10,000 full cash bond.