Crash Ends Short Police Chase

Two Breathitt Countians were transported to the hospital after slamming their vehicle into a cliff following a short police pursuit on July 10.

William Edward Morris, 31, of Walk Log Branch Road, and Samantha Baker, a passenger in his vehicle, were taken to the Kentucky River Medical Center for evaluation and treatment after Morris drove a Mustang GT into the mountain at the intersection of Highways 15 and 30 West.

According to reports, Jackson Police Officers Tim Chandler and Cody Lovins were conducting a “stationary radar” patrol on Highway 30 West near the Methodist Mountain Mission when they spotted a white 2018 Ford Mustang traveling at a high rate of speed toward Jackson at about 10:10 p.m. 

Reports indicated that the Mustang was traveling at 101 miles per hour, according to radar.

Officers activated their emergency lights to pull the car over, but the vehicle was “already out of sight” when the officers started the pursuit.  The pursuit ended less than a half mile later.  When the officers crossed the Highway 30 bridge, they saw steam rising from the crashed vehicle.  They found Mullins, the driver, standing outside the vehicle at the intersection of Highways 30 and 15.  He was taken into custody.

Samantha Baker, who was injured in the crash, remained in the vehicle until medical staff arrived.  She was removed and transported by ambulance.  Morris was transported in the custody of the Jackson Police Department.  The ambulance service attempted to get a medical flight for Baker, but all service providers refused to fly due to heavy fog.

Morris told Officer Tim Chandler that the “gas pedal was stuck” and he “could not stop the vehicle.”

Baker told law enforcement officials that the couple had “done methamphetamine earlier” before the incident.  When officers searched the vehicle, they located marijuana, a glass pipe with some residue, and rolling papers near the driver's area.

Morris was transported to the Kentucky River Medical Center, where he was medically cleared.  

He was arrested at 11:43 p.m. and charged with one count each of speeding 26 miles an hour over the limit, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a substance.  The Breathitt County Jailer’s Office transported him to the Perry County Detention Center.

Tim Jones Towing removed the vehicle and helped reopen the roadway at 12:11 p.m.

The incident is still under investigation by Sergeant Daniel “Chy” Turner of the Jackson Police Department.