Owensboro man accused of impersonating peace officer in Simpson County

FRANKLIN, Ky. – A Daviess County man is accused of attempting to impersonate a peace officer in Simpson County.

According to a uniform citation, the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle attempting to conduct a traffic stop on another on Interstate 65 northbound near exit 2 Monday evening.

An individual says another driver activated blue lights and attempted to pull them over, authorities say.

During the investigation, a deputy says they located the vehicle in a gas station parking lot. The vehicle then exited the parking lot and drove onto I-65 northbound, authorities say.

According to the citation, a traffic stop was conducted at the 11-mile marker after a short pursuit, and the driver was identified as 59-year-old Patrick Betts of Owensboro.

Betts allegedly told deputies he “did turn on the lights due to the original caller driving recklessly,” according to the citation.

The citation states Betts admitted to drinking alcohol “a couple of hours” before the stop.

During the investigation of Betts’ vehicle, deputies located blue lights on the dash. Deputies say the blue lights were gathered for evidence.

Authorities say Betts has four prior DUI arrests and “at least” two DUI suspended license charges, according to the citation.

Betts was arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer, second-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), improper use of blue lights and driving on a driving under the influence suspect’s license (third-offense). He was lodged at the Simpson County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.