Smiths Grove man charged with fleeing police in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Smiths Grove man is charged with fleeing police in Bowling Green over the weekend.

According to a uniform citation, on Sunday around 1:53 a.m., Bowling Green police were alerted of a possible intoxicated driver near Chestnut Street and East Main Avenue.

Authorities say an officer stated they had tried to stop an intoxicated subject from entering a vehicle. Police say the subject ignored commands and drove away.

Authorities say they located the vehicle near Park Street and Fairview Avenue, where it nearly struck a concrete median.

Police say they attempted to stop the vehicle, however, it began to speed up.

Authorities say the vehicle passed The Medical Center at Bowling Green emergency room entrance before turning back toward police.

According to the citation, the vehicle ignored police and drove through a nearby parking lot, parking and hitting a curb.

Authorities say the driver was identified as 40-year-old Preston Wettstein of Smiths Grove.

Wettstein was ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint, authorities say. After exiting, police say he resisted arrest before being detained.

Authorities say while searching Wettstein’s vehicle, they located 14 Fireball shooter bottles, along with multiple other alcoholic beverages, all of which were empty.

Wettstein was taken into custody. Police say while at The Medical Center for a blood draw, Wettstein made several threatening statements to officers.

Wettstein was later transported to the Warren County Regional Jail. He faces charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle)
operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, third offense, reckless driving, third-degree terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, second-degree disorderly conduct, no operators license, failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security and no/expired registration plates.