WILLIAMSBURG, KY - The Whitley County Sheriff's Department is reporting that: At approximately midnight on April 22, 2020 Deputy Chad Estep and Deputy Jason Strunk were on routine patrol in areas of increased criminal activity when Deputy Estep attempted to stop a silver Cadillac for excessive speed and crossing over into the lane of on coming traffic.
As emergency equipment was activated, the silver Cadillac attempted to elude law enforcement. A pursuit started on Cumberland Falls Highway and continued into the Hightop Road area and onto Black Diamond Road where Deputy Strunk was preparing to deploy spike strips.
Due to the erratic behavior of the vehicle, the pursuit was terminated as other agencies were notified of the direction of travel. Deputies were able to continue to monitor the direction of travel until the Corbin Police Department could assist and a pursuit was re initiated that led into Laurel County.
Kentucky State Police units from Post 10 and Post 11, and the Laurel County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit that traveled in the area of Cotton Road, Flatwoods and onto Paris Karr Road where the pursuit ended with the silver Cadillac crashing into a private pond after the vehicle tried to elude law enforcement off road.
Bret Alan Hatfield age 41 was arrested for:
- Fleeing and Evading 1st, motor vehicle
- Wanton Endangerment-Police officer 12 counts
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine greater that 2 grams
- A host of traffic charges
This individual was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.
No photo of the accused was available from the Whitley County Detention Center at the time this report was published.
The Whitley County Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude to the surrounding agencies that assisted in the apprehension of Mr. Hatfield.
We appreciate the Corbin Police Department and Officer Kenneth Proffit, KSP Troopers Brandon Creekmore, Jason McCowan, and Logan Howell, as well as Laurel County K9 Deputy Gary Mahler, Sgt. John Inman and others.
