Published: May 15, 2008 10:38 am            

Pursuit ends with London man’s arrest

Michael Kirkland faces multiple charges including DUI, resisting arrest, fleeing or evading police

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A London man was arrested last Wednesday and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly leading police on a vehicle and foot pursuit.

Members of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a safety check near the Laurel-Clay County line when a vehicle being driven by Michael Kirkland, 31, stopped at the checkpoint. Sgt. Rodney Vanzant said Deputy Chuck Johnson asked Kirkland for his driver’s license while Vanzant went around the vehicle to conduct a check.

“The truck just looked familiar,” Vanzant said. “I recognized the vehicle after a few minutes.”

Vanzant said he had stopped Kirkland once before, about six months ago. At that time, Vanzant said Kirkland fled and was apprehended once he drove down a dead end road.

While walking around the vehicle, Vanzant said he noticed the vehicle was in the drive position.

“Most people put their vehicle in park,” he said.

Vanzant said he was speaking with Kirkland when the vehicle drove off while Johnson’s arm was still inside the open window awaiting Kirkland’s license. Police pursued Kirkland for several miles until he turned onto a dead end road off East Highway 80, according to Vanzant. Police said once his vehicle got to the end of the street, Kirkland then attempted to flee on foot.

Kirkland’s passenger, Andrew Cook, 25, of Corbin, got out of the vehicle and surrendered to authorities. He was charged with public intoxication by a controlled substance. According to Vanzant, Kirkland continued to flee on foot through a residential neighborhood when Vanzant said one of the residents tried to intervene.

“The homeowner saw what was going on and tried to tackle him (Kirkland),” Vanzant said.

While this effort was unsuccessful, Vanzant said it was just what deputies in pursuit needed to gain on the fleeing Kirkland.

“The homeowner did delay him enough for us to catch up,” Kirkland said.

Once deputies caught up, Kirkland had to be Tasered twice. The first time, Vanzant said Kirkland pulled the Taser cables out of the gun, rendering it useless. The second time, he rolled on the ground, according to Vanzant, again rendering the Taser useless.

“He was the first person I’ve ever seen fight through being Tased,” Vanzant said.

Vanzant said Kirkland continued to fight with deputies for several minutes before he was handcuffed and taken into custody. He was taken to Saint Joseph London for treatment and was later lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Kirkland was charged with driving on a suspended/revoked operator’s license, failure of owner to maintain insurance, driving under the influence, two counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, and four counts of third-degree wanton endangerment.

Laurel County Sheriff Fred Yaden said Kirkland told police he fled because he did not have an operator’s license. Vanzant said Kirkland told deputies he had taken a prescription medication.

Kirkland pleaded not guilty to the charges in district court and was released from jail after being granted a $10,000 surety bond, which Vanzant said allows Kirkland’s parents to sign an agreement that he will be present at his next appearance in court or they will owe the $10,000.

        

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