Smiths Grove man arrested following multi-county pursuit

BARREN, EDMONSON COUNTIES, Ky. – A Smiths Grove man is facing multiple charges after a multi-county vehicle pursuit on Saturday.

According to a uniform citation, Kentucky State Police Post 3 dispatch was notified shortly before midnight by Glasgow dispatch for an attempt to locate a male that fled the scene of reported domestic violence in Grayson County.

Troopers say Grayson County authorities advised officers had arresting charges pending on the male, identified as Justin Strout, 34, of Smiths Grove, with one charge including strangulation.

Authorities say they were advised the male was driving a 2012 black Ford Fusion.

Troopers say they traveled onto exit 43 for Park City, where they say they observed a vehicle fitting the description traveling east on Mammoth Cave Parkway. Authorities say they received confirmation the vehicle was the same one as described above.

Authorities say after turning right onto U.S. 31-W toward Warren County, they attempted to stop the vehicle.

The citation states the vehicle then began to speed up and flee, leading to troopers to continue the pursuit.

Troopers say the vehicle reached speeds of 106 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

Authorities say the driver then turned onto Highway 259, continuing the pursuit before turning onto B Houchens Road and reaching Doyle Road. According to troopers, they continued to follow the vehicle as the male turned left onto Brownsville Road and turned left again onto U.S. 31-W and later reached Chaumount Road at high speeds.

The male then turned onto Cedar Hill Road and turned right onto Mammoth Cave Parkway, authorities say.

When Barren County deputies tried to enter the pursuit, authorities say the fleeing vehicle tried to merged recklessly at high speeds into the direction of a deputy patrol vehicle while attempting to strike or run the deputy off of the road.

After successfully deploying spike strips, troopers say the male spoke to Post 3 over the phone and advised he was heading to a residence on Chaumount Road.

After reaching the residence, authorities say the male exited the vehicle after multiple verbal commands.

Troopers say they then took the male to the ground after he would not follow commands. According to authorities, the male then rolled to place his hands under his body, leading a trooper to deploy a taser.

Strout was arrested. Troopers say Strout stated he was drunk and smelled of alcoholic beverages.

Strout was medically cleared at T.J. Samson Community Hospital and transported to the Barren County Detention Center.

He is charged with speeding 26 miles per hour or greater over the speed limit, reckless driving,  first-degree fleeing or evading police, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, second offense, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, resisting arrest, failure to wear seat belts, disregarding a stop sign and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle prohibited.