From The Pineville Police Department -
Early Thursday morning October 6, 2022, Pineville Officer Patrick Brooks responded to a possible vehicle collision on Highway 25E. Once on scene, the officer found the 2022 VW MVP against the guardrail in the southbound lane facing northbound. Officer Brooks made contact with the driver, 45-year-old David Anthony Hale of Lexington, who was passed out behind the wheel of the vehicle which was still in gear and running.
The officer states that he observed an off-white substance in the passenger seat and then asked Hale to exit the vehicle after declined Bell EMS assistance. Hale was given standard field sobriety tests, which he failed. Hale was then taken into custody and a search incident to arrest was conducted which revealed a large sum of cash.
Officer Brooks then requested Chief Brandon Hollingsworth to the scene with K-9 Jett. During the incident Jett gave a positive alert on the front passenger door where the off-white substance had been seen. A search of the vehicle yielded the substance which was believed to be crack cocaine. Also found was a dark brown substance believed to be heroin, torch lighters, glass pipes believed to contain controlled substances, and a large amount of cash located in the center console.
Hale was determined to have prior convictions for trafficking in cocaine and heroin from Fayette County Circuit Court.
David Anthony Hale was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with trafficking controlled substance – 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (greater than 4 grams – Cocaine), trafficking controlled substance 2nd or greater offense (Heroin), buying/possessing drug paraphernalia, failure to wear seatbelt, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of controlled substance – 1 offense.
Upon entry into the detention center, jail staff observed Hale reach into his pants and attempt to then conceal another baggie between two food trays on the bench he was seated. Inside the baggie was more Crack Cocaine and Methamphetamine. Hale was then additionally charged with another count of trafficking controlled substance – 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (greater than 4 grams – Cocaine) and a count of trafficking controlled substance – 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (greater than 2 grams – Methamphetamine).
Also assisting during the incidents were Deputy Jailer Joshua Collett and Bell County Deputy Austin Poindexter.