High speed pursuit nets 3

 

Three people are facing charges after a Sunday evening high-speed pursuit that ended when their vehicle crashed after careening over a ditch when attempting to make a turn.

Deputy Odell Smith and Constable Bill Hayes observed the driver of the vehicle, identified as Kaitlyn E. Hollingsworth, 23, of Chatsworth Georgia, leave a driveway and enter on to U.S. 27 in Pine Knot without signaling.

The previous day the vehicle was stopped for traffic violations and it was discovered the driver did not have an operator’s license. The driver was cited and warned not to drive the vehicle without a license.

Sunday night, after observing the vehicle on the road – despite the warning – officers attempted to make a traffic stop around 8:00 p.m. Sunday, but Hollingsworth sped away at a high rate of speed, traveling north on the highway toward Stearns.

 

The officers began pursuit, observing the vehicle traveling at over 100 miles per hour and passing vehicles in a reckless manner.

The driver apparently attempted to make a sharp turn on to Pigskin Road, whereupon she lost control of the vehicle. The car struck a ditch and the traffic light guide wire, causing it to become airborne briefly and eventually skidded to a halt several hundred yards from the point of initial impact.

All three individuals in the vehicle exited the car and attempted to flee on foot, but were apprehended soon after the crash.

Hollingsworth faces several counts locally, including driving without a license, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, resisting arrest, fleeing/evading (both on foot and in a vehicle), wanton endangerment of a police officer and other traffic offenses.

Hollingsworth and her two passengers, identified as Arnold L. Massingale, 58, of Pine Knot and Dustin R. Stewart, 22, of Dalton Georgia, were transported by McCreary County EMS to the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, where they were later released and taken into custody.

Stewart and Massengale were both charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing/evading.

All three individuals are also reportedly facing drug related charges in Georgia and expected to be extradited to face those accusations.

Additionally, officers learned Monday morning that the vehicle involved in the crash was reported stolen from Georgia a few days a go.