A stolen pickup truck, a predawn chase across three Kentucky counties, and a guardrail in a construction zone brought a wild early morning to a close for a 49-year-old Paducah man. Francisco Starks now faces a long list of charges after deputies say he refused to stop on Interstate 24 and kept driving east until his truck gave out.
According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Office, the chase began around 2:30 a.m. Thursday when a deputy spotted a pickup traveling eastbound on I-24 near the 16-mile marker that had been reported stolen to the Paducah Police Department earlier that evening, per the release signed by Chief Deputy Ryan P. Willcutt. The deputy attempted to pull the truck over, but the driver refused to yield, according to kfvs12.com.
Deputies identified the driver as Starks, and he allegedly fled the area near Exit 16 rather than stop, according to WPSD Local 6. From there, the truck continued east through Marshall and Livingston counties before crossing into Lyon County, stretching the pursuit across a wide swath of west Kentucky highway.
Truck Disabled After Guardrail Strike In Construction Zone
The chase came to an abrupt end in a Lyon County construction zone, where Starks allegedly tried to pass a semi-tractor-trailer. During that maneuver, the truck struck a guardrail and became disabled, according to KBSI Fox 23. Starks was then taken into custody without further incident.
Despite the crash, Starks was not transported for injuries from the wreck itself. The same report notes he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical condition, and he is expected to be lodged at the McCracken County Regional Jail once he's released.
Starks Faces Lengthy List Of Charges
The charges piling up against Starks reflect both the chase and what deputies found along the way. He faces first-degree fleeing or evading police, along with driving on a suspended or revoked license, first-offense DUI with aggravating circumstances, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree wanton endangerment and reckless driving, per the sheriff's office account relayed by KBSI Fox 23.
On top of those counts, Starks is also charged with receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and speeding at least 26 mph over the posted limit, the outlet reported. Kentucky law defines fleeing or evading police in the first degree under state statute 520.095, one of several laws now in play in the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to the same report, and no further details on the outcome of the charges have been released.
