BARBOURVILLE, KY - The Knox County Sheriff's Department is reporting that on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at approximately 11:10 A.M. Knox County Deputy Sam Mullins responded to a call of a small child walking in the roadway on KY North 11.
After being unable to locate any child mentioned by the caller, he cleared and received another call at 11:38 A.M. in reference to a stolen vehicle in the same area.
While working at a residence in the Green Road area, a Windstream technician reported his bucket truck had been stolen from the home and was last seen heading south on KY North 11.
As Deputy Mullins responded to the area, the stolen vehicle met him in a curve in his lane of travel causing him to stop his cruiser to avoid being struck.
Deputy Mullins then turned on the vehicle caught up to it, activated his emergency lights, and requested assistance from Barbourville Police.
As the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 44- year-old Randy Rice of Girdler, traveled down the roadway he almost lost control of the vehicle. He then turned right onto Highway 25E headed toward Corbin.
As Rice continued to travel down Highway 25E, he ran the traffic light at Lynn Camp High School and at the Corbin Bypass, Corbin Police were waiting to assist.
Rice then ran the red light at Master Street and a black Jeep that had the right of way proceeded through the intersection where it was struck in front of Sonic Drive-Thru by the fleeing vehicle, injuring the jeep's female driver and her male occupant.
The bucket truck was disabled from the impact and came to rest after traveling through a yard and parking lot of another local business.
The woman was taken to Baptist Health Hospital in Corbin for treatment of injuries while the male was flown to UT hospital by Air Evac for treatment, but has since been released.
Rice was removed from the truck and fought his arrest until he was taken into custody.
Randy Rice (right) was charged with:
- Wanton Endangerment - 1st degree
- Reckless driving,Disregarding a traffic light
- Assault - 1st degree,Theft by unlawful taking (auto) - $10,000 or more, but under $1,000,000
- Fleeing or evading police - 1st degree (motor vehicle)
- Driving on DUI suspended license - 1st offense (aggravated circumstances)
- No Operators license
This individual was lodged in the the Knox County Detention Center.
Photo of the accused is courtesy of the the Knox County Detention Center.
Scene photos are from the Corbin Fire Department Facebook page.
Assisting was the Barbourville Police Department, Corbin Fire Department, Corbin Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Knox County EMS, and Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
