While en route to Kentucky State Police Post 15, Kentucky State Police Sergeant Josh Wilson observed a 2014 Toyota Camry slowing to a stop in the westbound lane on the Cumberland Parkway at approximately 7:57 a.m. on Friday, March 27.
Sgt. Wilson made contact with the driver, 42-year-old Kevin Lawless of Russell Springs and advised him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway if he was going to stop. Sgt. Wilson observed that Lawless appeared to be manifestly under the influence and performed a field sobriety test while Lawless was in the vehicle, in which he failed. As Sgt. Wilson was positioning his car to a safer position, Lawless fled. Lawless reached speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour. The pursuit lasted approximately four miles when Lawless left the roadway and struck a guardrail in the median under the overpass causing the vehicle to overturn several times and eject Lawless.
Sgt. Wilson called for EMS and Lawless was transported to T.J. Sampson hospital by EMS and then flown to University of Kentucky Hospital for life threatening injuries.
The Camry that Lawless was driving had been reported stolen to the Russell County Sheriff’s Department early that morning. Lawless is being charged with speeding greater than 26 MPH over the speed limit, driving under the influence 3rd offense, reckless driving, obstructing a highway, wanton endangerment 1st degree, operating on a suspended or revoked license, receiving stolen property under $10,000 and fleeing or evading police, 1st degree motor vehicle.