Portland man allegedly crashes into pole with drugs in vehicle in Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ky. – A Tennessee man is facing drug trafficking charges after a crash in Franklin.

The Franklin Police Department says it responded to a call at Key Stop on Nashville Road for a vehicle that ran over a pole on Sunday.

The caller said the operator left the scene on foot and appeared to be impaired. The vehicle was still running.

Officers say they located the driver of the vehicle, Kaleb Cowan, 42 of Portland, TN, walking in a nearby median at the 5000 block of Nashville Road.

According to the uniform citation, Cowan admitted to officers that he left the vehicle because he did not have a license.

Officers say that a search of the vehicle discovered a large sum of money, two sets of unknown pills, a crystal-like substance, white powder, and a purple powder. Police believe the items are controlled substances.

Cowan is charged with operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to render aid or assistance, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance first offense (two or more grams of methamphetamine), first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance first offense (four or more grams of cocaine), and first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance first offense (ten or more drug unspecified).

Cowan is lodged at the Simpson County Detention Center.