Madisonville, Ky. (Hopkins County) – Around 7:16 PM on March 15, 2021, Trooper Kirby Broadbent, of Kentucky State Police Post 2, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2010 Dodge Charger for a speeding violation near the 48 mile marker Westbound on the Western Kentucky Parwkay.  The vehicle accelerated faster and began to flee.

Other KSP Troopers were able to successfully deploy a tire deflation around the 38 mile marker.  The vehicle ramped on to Interstate 69 Northbound and came to a stop near the 107 mile marker where both occupants were taken into custody without further incident. Troopers located 2 trash bags containing suspected synthetic marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and small individual baggies containing suspected synthetic marijuana inside the vehicle.

The operator, Michael L Pierce, Lexington, KY, was charged with fleeing or evading police, 1st degree (motor vehicle), trafficking in synthetic drugs 1st offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs 1st offense (aggravating circumstances), and various other traffic offenses.

Passenger Jerrell N. Christian, Paducah, KY, was charged with trafficking in synthetic drugs 1st offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.

They were both lodged in the Hopkins County Detention Center.

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