Leitchfield man arrested following alleged high-speed pursuit

GRAYSON COUNTY, Ky. (K105) – A Leitchfield man has been arrested after a high-speed pursuit.

The suspect swerved into the lane of an oncoming deputy, attempting to crash into another deputy, according to a report by K105.

The incident started on Sunday when a Grayson County deputy Philip Wilt clocked a GMC Sierra traveling at 75 miles an hour in a 55 mile per hour zone near the intersection of Owensboro Road (Highway 54) and Sinks Road, K105 reports.

The deputy activated his lights and siren, but the truck then “accelerated at a high rate of speed,” according to the arrest citation, resulting in it taking “several miles to catch up to the vehicle.”

With speeds reaching over 100 mph and deputy Joel Baker traveling west to assist, the truck driver, 24-year old Michael G. Escue, “swerved toward Deputy Baker, crossing the center line,” according to K105.

The suspect then “improperly passed another motorist on a double yellow line, putting the people inside of that vehicle at risk,” according to the citation.

Wilt then attempted to get close to the Sierra, making an effort to read the license plate, when the suspect then allegedly “slammed on its brakes several times to try and cause me (Wilt) to rear end him,” according to the citation.

According to K105, Escue then turned onto Ray Priddy Road, “continuing to accelerate at a high rate of speed,” leaving the roadway and traveling through a yard before reentering the roadway on Watkins Drive.

The deputy then lost sight of the truck, as Baker and Leitchfield Police Department Sgt. Chuck Hoover and officer Brian Jennings searched the area for the vehicle.

Shortly after, K105 reports Wilt located the truck parked on Leigh Lane and discovered that Escue had run around 300 yards to a residence on that road.

Police then made contact with Escue at the home and placed him under arrest.

Escue was charged with two counts of felony wanton endangerment of a police officer, felony wanton endangerment, two counts of fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), careless driving, improper passing and speeding 20 mph over the limit.

He was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center but is no longer listed as an inmate.