A Kentucky State Police Trooper has been injured while chasing an Owensboro man who fled a traffic stop in stolen car.
Trooper Adam Wright was patrolling McLean County and observed a 2000 Saturn Aura speeding south on Hwy 431 just after 2:00 Thursday afternoon. Wright conducted a traffic stop in Island but as the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver, 50-year-old Tony E. Vanover, of Owensboro, fled from the stop.
Police said that as Wright was pursuing Vanover, he learned the vehicle was reported stolen from Owensboro.
Vanover fled south into Muhlenberg County, KSP said, before returning to McLean County on Hwy 81, with speeds reaching nearly 100 miles per hour. Vanover then drove onto Bunn Cobb Road, just south of Rumsey, when Wright failed to negotiate a sharp curve, as the cruiser left the roadway and struck an embankment.
Vanover continued fleeing before being surrounded by McLean County deputies on Hwy 2110. He was stopped and arrested without further incident.
Wright suffered minor facial lacerations in the crash and was treated at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. His cruiser, a 2017 Dodge Charger, sustained moderate to heavy damage.
Vanover was lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center where he has been charged with possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), receiving stolen property, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree criminal mischief, and fleeing or evading police along with multiple traffic violations.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
