From The Daily Enterprise -
Here is more on the pursuit we told you about recently in Harlan County.
The Daily enterprise reports that a woman is facing multiple charges, including assault of a police officer, after allegedly stealing a car and hitting a Kentucky State Police trooper.
20 year old Abbigal Thomas, 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.