From WRIL - The Big One -
Monday morning March 11, 2024, Bell County Deputy Sgt. Frank Foster had just cleared a call on Highway 119 and passed a vehicle with a driver known to have active warrants. The sergeant turned and attempted a traffic stop.
The driver - identified as 38-year-old Justin Dye of Calvin, Ky. - fled the sergeant onto Old Bell High Road. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Dye exited and fled running down an embankment into the Cumberland River. Bell County Rescue Squad was then paged for a water rescue.
A short time later, Dye made his way across the river up an embankment still trying to flee. Waiting for him on the the other side was Chief Deputy Jared Smith who took Dye into custody.
Prior to this incident, Family Dollar on 119 had called into Bell Dispatch stating a male, matching Dye's description and the vehicle he was driving, had stolen items from the store.
Justin Dye was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with fleeing or evading police - 2nd degree (on foot), fleeing or evading police - 2nd degree (motor vehicle), theft by unlawful taking/shoplifting, failure to appear, and he was served a parole violation warrant.