A Paducah man is back in custody after police say he walked away from incarceration before he stole and crashed two cars and assaulted a McCracken County sheriff’s deputy.
According to Kentucky State Police, about 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, McCracken County Deputy Robert Simon called KSP to report a red car speeding east on Interstate 24 in Marshall County. The driver allegedly wrecked the vehicle while Simon made the call in to KSP.
Simon approached the vehicle, reported to be a red Chevrolet Cobalt, after the collision. According to KSP the driver, identified as James A. Booker, 34, of Paducah, assaulted Simon at the scene and then fled in his police cruiser. Booker had walked away from Keeton Correctional Institution earlier that day, according to KSP.
Shortly thereafter, a KSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer found the stolen cruiser traveling east on I-24 and initiated pursuit. Booker allegedly led police on a chase exceeding 100 mph through Lyon and into Caldwell County. Booker lost control of the vehicle near the 75-mile marker of Interstate 69 in Caldwell County and crashed the stolen cruiser.
Booker was taken to Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton for medical evaluation before he was released into the custody of police and formally arrested. He was taken to Christian County Jail.
Booker was charged in Marshall County with first-degree robbery, receiving stolen property ($10,000 or more), first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, third-degree assault on a police officer, reckless driving, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, second degree wanton endangerment, driving on a DUI suspended license (second offense) and fugitive from another state.
Booker was charged in Caldwell County with first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, speeding, reckless driving and operating on a suspended license.
Paducah Police Department is investigating the theft of the red Chevrolet Cobalt.
The Kentucky State Police were assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Marshall, Lyon and Caldwell counties.
The investigation remains ongoing.