***********UPDATE*************
WAVE News has learned that the suspect is Michael Nichols, 31, of Russell Springs, KY. He was arrested by Russell Springs police and charged with Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License; Only One Headlight; No Tail Lamps; Fleeing or Evading Police on Foot AND in a Motor Vehicle; Served a Parole Violation Warrant. Nichols was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.
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Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a high speed pursuit that ended in Adair County early this morning (Sunday, Feb. 24) and a Columbia Police Dept. cruiser sustained severe damage after being rammed by the suspect's vehicle.
At 5:40amCT, officers from the Russell Springs Police Dept. entered Adair County in pursuit of a maroon 2016 Nissan Altima. Adair Co. Deputy Sheriff Joey Keith joined in the pursuit near the Adair County line on KY 80 to assist. Pursuit speeds reached up to 120 mph as they headed toward Columbia.
As the pursuit approached Columbia city limits, Columbia Police Officer Adam Cravens attempted to block the road to keep the pursuit from entering into the city where morning traffic was picking up. At this point the fleeing suspect rammed Officer Cravens cruiser and continued on. Although it didn’t immediately stop the suspect, Officer Cravens efforts resulted in heavy damage to the suspect's vehicle that eventually forced him off the road and into an earth embankment about a quarter mile past the impact, just shy of Columbia city limits.
At that point, the suspect fled the vehicle with a Russell Springs Police Officer and Adair County Deputy Joey Keith in foot pursuit. They lost the subject in thick overgrowth; however, 40 minutes later Adair Co. Deputy Sheriff Dereck Padgett located the suspect hiding under a truck at a local business (MLS) next to Russell Creek approximately ½ mile from where the chase began. The suspect was taken into custody by Deputy Padgett where he was released to the Russell Springs Police Dept. to be taken back to Russell County to face multiple charges.
The suspect will also face charges that will be filed by the Adair County Sheriffs Office for Wanton Endangerment 1st degree (Police Officer) for striking Officer Cravens cruiser, Criminal Mischief 1st degree for the severe damage to City of Columbia police cruiser, and Possession of Methamphetamine that was discovered when Deputy Padgett took the suspect into custody.
Responding agencies include Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman, Columbia Police Chief Jason Cross and multiple officers from their departments, Russell County Sheriff Derrick Polston, Russell Springs Police Chief Joe Michael Irvin and multiple officers from their agencies, and Adair County EMS.
