Police fish man from river

Aug. 28--A Harlan man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly fled from police on two separate occasions before being caught and arrested.

Teddy Smith, 29, was arrested on Wednesday by Kentucky State Police Trooper Danny Caudill.

KSP Sgt. <person>Jeremy Lee said troopers located Smith in the Cawood area.

"We had information that Smith was living out of his vehicle," said Lee. "We sent troopers up there to search for Smith because he had felony warrants."

According to Lee, Smith ran when police first encountered him.

"When Smith was located he fled from police in his vehicle," Lee said. "He then abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, where he jumped down an embankment and into the river. Troopers were able to find him in a field in Bobs Creek and subsequently were able to arrest him."

Lee said KSP was searching for Smith on Wednesday because he had fled from troopers earlier.

According to a warrant, Smith first fled from police on Aug. 20 after making an illegal U-turn on the U.S. 421 bypass and turning up KY 72.

"During the pursuit, he fled around school buses, at which time KSP terminated the pursuit because we didn't want to endanger the school buses or anybody in the school buses," said Lee. "Trooper Jimmy Halcomb was in charge of the pursuit. Once he terminated the pursuit and lost sight of Smith, he obtained a warrant for Smith -- several felony warrants -- including one first-degree wanton endangerment and fleeing or evading police."

A warrant obtained by Halcomb states Smith was driving recklessly, passing vehicles on the wrong side of the road and running red lights. Smith headed down KY 72, causing one vehicle to come to a complete stop to avoid hitting Smith's vehicle head-on.

Lee, Caudill, Sgt. Jason Bunch and Troopers Josh Brashears and Kenny Abner were involved in the pursuit that led to the apprehension of Smith on Wednesday.

Smith was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, first and second-degree fleeing or evading police, failure to wear seat belt, speeding 11 mph over the limit, driving too fast for traffic conditions, operating on a suspended or revoked operator's license, improperly on left side of road, no registration plates, no registration receipt, improper registration plate, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, failure to register transfer of a motor vehicle, failure to or improper signal, no tail lamps, improper passing, reckless driving, passing a loading/unloading school/church bus, disregarding a traffic control device, failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, failure to produce insurance card and resisting arrest.

Smith was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on five full cash bonds totaling $34,624.

Joe P. Asher may be reached at 606-573-4510, ext. 1161 or on Twitter #joe_hde

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