Intoxicated semi-truck driver flees Leitchfield police on WK Parkway; second semi driver arrested on parkway on DUI charge in less than two weeks

For the second time in less than two weeks, a semi-truck driver was arrested on a DUI charge on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

Thursday night at approximately 5:50, Grayson County Central Dispatch informed the Leitchfield Police Department of a reckless driver at the 101 mile marker of eastbound WK Parkway. Dispatch received at least three calls from motorists indicating the truck was driving erratically and at a excessively slow speeds.

Leitchfield Officers Eugene Cain and Missy Skaggs responded to the parkway, along with Sgt. Robert Jackson (city officers responded to the scene because Grayson County deputies were working an investigation in Anneta).

Sgt. Jackson and Officer Skaggs, patrolling in the same cruiser, fell in behind the semi-truck at the 107 mile marker and observed the truck being driven erratically and at slow speeds. Police attempted to execute a traffic stop on the semi, but the driver, 59-year-old William Morgan, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refused to stop.

Sgt. Jackson, Officer Skaggs and Officer Cain continued to pursue the semi as it continued to swerve all over the roadway, while traveling between 40 and 45 miles per hour (before briefly reaching the 70 mph range and then decelerating).

Just east of the 109 mile marker, Officer Cain, at the direction of Sgt. Jackson, moved in front of the semi, boxing-in Morgan and bringing the pursuit to a halt.

Upon making contact with Morgan, who was clearly intoxicated, officers arrested the suspect and executed a search of the semi.

Morgan was arrested and charged with DUI (with aggravating circumstance), fleeing or evading police, having an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Grayson County EMS evaluated Morgan at the scene. He was initially transported to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center for further evaluation, and then lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

The semi-truck Morgan was driving is owned by Quality Transport Inc., a company based in Baton Rouge, and was carrying oil.

On Saturday, April 14, Clarkson Police Chief Buck Meredith arrested a semi-truck driver for DUI (excluding alcohol) near the Clarkson exit of the WK Parkway. After being alerted to the reckless driver, Chief Meredith observed the semi driving on the rumble strip of the parkway.

The driver, 34-year-old Jonathon Walling, of Goshen, Ohio, admitted to smoking methamphetamine in an effort to stay awake.