A dangerous pursuit
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High speed chase results in numerous charges
Photo by Eugenia Jones McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson and Deputy Jason Perry are seen with Jonah Helton of Pine Knot after Helton’s arrest on multiple charges. Helton led law enforcement on a high speed chase which resulted in Helton reportedly ramming Deputy Perry’s patrol car twice and grabbing for Deputy Perry’s service arm with the two men wrestling for control of the firearm. Helton was evaluated by Scott County, TN, and McCreary County EMS and deemed okay to transport in custody. Sheriff Sampson requested the country transport officer take Helton to ER for evaluation. Helton was then cleared by the ER for transport to Knox County Detention Center.
McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson reports Deputy Jason Perry observed a silver Chevrolet travelling at a high rate of speed in Pine Knot, KY at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Deputy Perry closed in on the vehicle, following it down Poplar Ford Road where the driver ran a stop sign as he turned onto KY 92. At that point, Deputy Perry initiated a traffic stop; however, the driver took off at a high rate of speed and refused to stop. For a second time, the driver of the vehicle ran a stop sign as he turned from Hwy 92 onto South Hwy 27. Traveling south at speeds surpassing 100 mph, the driver of the Chevrolet passed a semi-truck on the wrong side of the road. Still in pursuit, Deputy Perry crossed into Tennessee, following the Chevrolet onto the Pleasant Grove road. When the operator’s Chevrolet stalled on the road, Deputy Perry exited his vehicle to make the arrest. However, the driver reportedly accelerated, striking the front of the deputy’s cruiser. As pursuit continued on side roads off of Pleasant Grove Road, the Chevrolet spun around as it maneuvered a curve and struck the patrol car for a second time.
Dispatch notified Deputy Perry about a female passenger in the suspect’s vehicle who was on the phone saying she wanted out of the vehicle, but that the driver refused to stop. The female also said the driver told her if she did not hang up on dispatch, he would throw her phone out of the window. The female did not hang up the phone, but instead left it activated and laid it on the seat beside her. Approximately four miles down a gravel side road, the vehicle went into a ditch. The driver exited the vehicle and began to run. Deputy Perry pursued the driver on foot. The driver reportedly ignored commands to stop. Deputy Perry overtook the perpetrator, tackling him to the ground. According to the arrest citation, the suspect began fighting and grabbed Deputy Perry’s service weapon. The service weapon discharged, without striking anyone, as the two men wrestled for control of the firearm. Reportedly, the suspect continued to fight and ignored commands to place his hands behind his back. After Deputy Perry deployed his taser, the suspect stopped resisting, and Deputy Perry applied wrist restraints.
A clear bag with a white, powder-like substance was found while searching the suspect. The suspect was placed in the back of Deputy Perry’s patrol car, and Scott County EMS was notified to evaluate the subject. Scott County EMS arrived, evaluated the suspect, and cleared him for transport by Officer Perry.
The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as 35 year old Jonah Helton of Pine Knot. Helton was transported back to McCreary County, where McCreary County EMS also evaluated and cleared him for transport to Knox County Detention Center.
Helton was transported and lodged in the Knox County Detention Center. Additionally, McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson requested transport take Helton for evaluation at the hospital ER, where Helton was again cleared for transport to Knox County.
Helton was charged with the following: (1) Speeding 26 MPH or > Speed Limit (2) Kidnapping-Adult (3) Reckless Driving (4) Wanton Endangerment-1st Degree, Police Officer (5) Disorderly Conduct-1st Degree (6) Disarming Peace Officer (7) Resisting Arrest (8) Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle)
(9) Assault 3rd Degree-Police Officer or Probation Officer (10) Possession Controlled Substance 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine) (11) Fleeing or Evading Police, 2nd Degree (On Foot) (12) Careless Driving (13) Operating Motor Vehicle U/INFL Controlled Substance (189A.010 (1D)-1st (AGG CIR) and (14) Contempt of Court.
McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson and Chief Deputy Dustin Ridner also responded to the scene of the incident.
