Two people were placed under arrest in relation to a high-speed pursuit that began on Fort Campbell Boulevard in Hopkinsville Thursday before ending in a crash on the Pennyrile Parkway.
According to the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Brian Smith of Hopkinsville in the area of Baldwin’s Appliance, due to him having an active warrant out of his arrest.
Smith was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody, which is when the passenger in the vehicle—35-year-old Heather Ballard of Hopkinsville—allegedly took control of the vehicle and fled, starting a high-speed pursuit. The pursuit went through several city streets, including Marietta Drive, Patrick Avenue and Fort Campbell Boulevard.
Ballard reportedly nearly struck several vehicles and failed to stop at numerous stop signs and intersections.
The pursuit came to an end on the Pennyrile Parkway when Ballard allegedly attempted to cross over into oncoming traffic and deputies prevented her from doing so—Ballard collided with two Sheriff’s Office vehicles.
She was taken into custody and charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault of a police officer and several traffic violations. She was additionally served with five outstanding warrants for felony probation violation.