An Illinois man has been arrested for various vehicle and wanton endangerment charges after a high-speed pursuit that traveled through five counties, including Caldwell and Lyon, Monday evening.
Kentucky State Police Post 1 Public Information Officer Trooper Adam Jones states that just before five a Trooper observed a silver Nissan Altima traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound near the 31-mile marker on Interstate 24 in Livingston County. He adds that when the Trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop the vehicle allegedly accelerated and began to swerve in and out of traffic.
Jones states the Trooper then pursued the vehicle into Lyon County where he observed the operator reportedly toss a suspected handgun from the vehicle, which was later recovered by Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies.
Jones explains the vehicle continued along I-24 into Caldwell County before exiting at the 56-mile marker and turning back onto the interstate, heading westbound. Other Troopers and Lyon County Deputies then joined the pursuit which traveled through Livingston County, Marshall County, and into McCracken County.
Near the 11-mile marker McCracken County Sheriff’s deputies were successful in using a tire deflation device to slow the vehicle but it continued to travel westbound. Jones notes Troopers attempted to end the pursuit, but the operator allegedly swerved toward a Trooper, striking the Trooper’s cruiser. Another Trooper then performed a pit maneuver and successfully stopped the fleeing vehicle near the 9-mile marker. After a short struggle, the operator, 23-year-old Michael E. Green of Mounds, Illinois, was taken into custody.
Green was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, four counts of first degree fleeing or evading police – motor vehicle, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol – aggravating circumstances, speeding 26 MPH or more over the speed limit, and various other drug and vehicle-related charges.
Green was then lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail.
