Kentucky man arrested after police chase through multiple counties

CAVE CITY, Ky. – A man is facing multiple charges related to a weekend police chase through multiple Kentucky counties, including Hart County.

The Cave City Police Department says on Dec. 8, an officer observed a gold Chevrolet Impala traveling eastbound on Broadway Street with a canceled registration plate.

Police say they followed the vehicle before the vehicle began to brake abruptly, nearly causing the officer to crash into the back of the vehicle. Police say they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Impala, operated by Austin Lewis, 27, of Mount Sherman, Kentucky.

According to police, this is when a female passenger exited the vehicle while it was still slowly moving. After the female left the vehicle, police say the Impala immediately reached speeds over 100 miles per hour eastbound on Griderville Road.

The vehicle then turned left onto U.S. 31-E and continued through Hart County before crossing into Larue County in the Buffalo community, where Lewis traveled over 100 mph, police say.

Police say the vehicle took multiple back roads that led it through Taylor and Greene County.

The Kentucky State Police then deployed tire deflation devices near Allendale, causing the Impala to lose control several miles down the road due to no longer having tires. The pursuit ended near the intersection of S L and N Turnpike and Greensburg Road.

Lewis faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer), first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), multiple counts of second-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance, reckless driving, speeding 26 mph or greater over the speed limit, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, disregarding a stop sign, failure to or improper signal, no registration plates and no registration receipt.

Lewis was taken to the Barren County Detention Center.