LONDON, KY (October 17, 2022) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Noah Ritchie arrested two individuals off a dirt trail behind a residence off Little Arthur Ridge Road on Monday afternoon October 17, 2022 at approximately 2:33 PM.
The arrests occurred after Deputy Richie observed a blue colored Chrysler Town & Country minivan travel onto KY 3434 at Starr Hill Road, 3 miles north of London nearly hitting the front end of Deputy Richie's patrol vehicle.
The suspect vehicle then turned heading in the opposite direction as Deputy Ritchie activated his emergency equipment and then drove at speeds in excess of 95 mph on KY 3434 traveling past Pittsburg Park, crossing the double yellow lines multiple times & nearly striking oncoming traffic before procceeding to flee north on Highway 25 and north on Highway 490 and turning onto Litton Town Road, then onto Arthur Ridge Road onto Little Arthur Ridge Road and traveling behind a residence down a dirt trail before striking a tree and coming to rest.
The fleeing vehicle traveled a total of approxmately 9 miles before colliding with the tree at which point both the male driver and female passenger exited the vehicle and attempted to flee.
Deputy Richie noted: That the minivan was being operated extremely recklessly as it attempted to flee by passing in "no passing zones" and on the shoulder of the roadway several times disregarding numerous traffic control devices while traveling at speeds up to 98 mph.
The male driver was located hiding under a tree and was found in possession of :
- Suspected Methamphetamine
- Needles
- A Ruger 9mm pistol
The female suspect was found in possession of:
- Suspected Methamphetamine
- Pills
Deputy Richie also noted that the driver of the vehicle was limited to operating a vehicle with an ignition interlock device and that the minivan did not have that device.
The operator of the motor vehicle was also determined to be wanted on outstanding warrants including a Felony Assault Warrant.
Sonny Grubb and Kaitlyn Griffitts
The driver of the vehicle was identified as: Sonny Grubb age 30 of Little Arthur Ridge Road, East Bernstadt, KY.
Sonny Grubb was charged with:
- Fleeing or evading police – – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Operating a motor vehicle without a functioning ignition interlock device
- Speeding more than 26 mph over the speed limit
- Reckless driving
- Operating on suspended or revoked operator's license
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Prescription controlled substances not in proper container – first offense
In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court complaint warrant of arrest obtained by Deputy Noah Ritchie regarding:
- An alleged assault on Sunday, October 2, 2022 which allegedly occurred off Little Arthur Ridge Road at a residence where allegedly Sonny Grubb struck a male subject there causing severe injuries to that individual.
Sonny Grubb then fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Also, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of:
- Driving on DUI suspended license – first offense
- Operating a motor vehicle without functioning ignition interlock device
The female passenger in the vehicle was identified as: Kaitlyn Griffitts age 22 of Slate Lick Road, London, KY.
Kaitlyn Griffitts was charged with:
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Prescription controlled substances not in proper container – first offense
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of the accused are courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Assisting for the Laurel County Sheriff's office at the scene were:
- Laurel County Sheriff John Root
- Maj. Chuck Johnson
- Lt. Chris Edwards
- Detective Sgt. Richard Dalrymple
- Detective Brad Mitchell
- Detective Taylor McDaniel
- Detective Jake Miller
- Deputy Travis Napier
- Deputy Austyn Weddle
- Deputy Wes Brown
- Deputy Zach Allen
The Kentucky State Police also assisted.
Photo of suspect vehicle in final rest position off a dirt trail provided by the arresting Deputy.
