CORBIN — Times-Tribune

Staff Report

Two men were arrested Thanksgiving after Williamsburg Police got a complaint of a reckless driver on U.S. Highway 25W.

Police Sgt. Mike Taylor spotted the Ford Crown Victoria in the Savoy area when the driver turned onto Bear Cat Lane at a high rate of speed.

Taylor attempted to stop the driver, but instead the driver refused to stop, traveling through a trailer park onto KY 92. The driver led police on a 6-mile chase, ditching the car after turning on Lowell Thomas Road.

The driver, Thomas Honeycutt, 35, fled the vehicle on foot, and was chased down and arrested by Sgt. Mike Taylor, according to reports.

The car’s owner, who was also a passenger in the vehicle, was also arrested. Darrell Croley, 51, and Honeycutt were both under the influence of alcohol, according to Taylor.

Honeycutt faces charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police both in a vehicle and on foot, driving under the influence (DUI), no operator’s license, resisting arrest and reckless driving. Croley faces charges of alcohol intoxication and resisting arrest. Both were jailed in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Taylor received assistance from Williamsburg Police officers Elijah Hunter, Brandon White and Detective Bobby Freeman.



Two arrested after hit-and-run crashes

Two area women face charges after one caused five accidents on I-75 Saturday, one of which sent three people to the hospital.

Williamsburg Police Chief Roger W. Bird said the department received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. concerning a vehicle traveling south in the northbound lane of I-75 from Exit 15.

While being dispatched, Bird said Whitley County 911 began receiving the same calls, adding several vehicles had been sideswiped. The suspect vehicle continued to travel south in the wrong lane, despite having hit other drivers, he said.

Finally, a head-on collision at the 12 mile marker stopped the drive. Williamsburg Police Captain Eddie Cain arrived at the crash site and determined the two women were under the influence of alcohol, and even discovered an open container inside the vehicle.

Three of the passengers in the vehicle which was crashed into were transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center by Whitley County EMS with minor injuries.

Cain arrested the driver, Angela Vannatter, 41, of Eatontown Road, and the passenger, 24-year-old Elizabeth Paul, of Rockholds. Vannatter faces charges of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. According to Bird, additional charges will be presented to a grand jury.

Paul faces charges of alcohol intoxication. Both women were jailed in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Four other vehicles were struck by the suspect vehicle, causing minor damage but no injuries, according to Bird.

Cain was assisted in the arrest and crash by Williamsburg Police Officer Brandon White, Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Jackson and several members of the Williamsburg Fire Department. Jackson investigated the other accidents outside of the city limits — Cain worked the head-on collision within city limits. Jackson filed charges against both women for leaving the scene of an accident.

Loud man jailed for disorderly conduct

A 911 complaint of an assault brought Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies William Bo Harris, Steve Hoskins and Greg Turner to an apartment complex on American Greeting Road Sunday.

According to Sheriff John Root, the complaint was concerning two males assaulting a female victim. Deputies found one of the two suspects at the apartment building, and as they began to question him, the man became loud, disorderly and confrontational.

Ronald W. Rowe, 34, of Corbin was jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center facing charges of first-degree disorderly conduct and menacing.

Man jailed after assaulting wife

An assault complaint led Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies Steve Hoskins and Greg Turner to a location south of London.

According to Sheriff John Root, from there deputies contacted the female victim, who reported Kevin P. Hampton, 38, of London had pulled her out of bed by the hair, grabbed her clothing and shoved her into a wall. Deputies reported the victim had visible red marks below her neck and had left the scene to contact authorities.

Hampton was jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center and faces charges of fourth-degree assault by domestic violence, and violation of a Kentucky Domestic Violence Order. He was also charged on an outstanding Laurel County warrant for third-degree criminal mischief.

Suspect wanted during round-up turns self in

Laurel County Sheriff John Root reports Amanda M. Smith, 34, of East Bernstadt turned herself in after learning she faces drug charges.

Smith was jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center and faces charges of first-degree trafficking in controlled substances, first offense.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests during a drug roundup Nov. 16, but not all suspects wanted were arrested that Friday. Root says more arrests are expected.

Clay County man jailed on drug charges

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Kirk Mays stopped a vehicle on Hal Rogers Parkway just before midnight Saturday after witnessing the driver cross the center lane several times.

Sheriff John Root said the driver, Marty R. Henson, 42, of Manchester was found to be driving under the influence.

After searching the vehicle deputies found a silver container with a bag containing white powder believed to be methamphetamines. They also found pills in an unmarked bottle.

Henson was arrested and jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center. He faces charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, careless driving, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense, and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Armed man arrested after standoff

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies Robbie Grimes, Josh Scott and Steve Hoskins were dispatched to investigate a possible domestic disturbance on Oak Ridge Church Road Saturday night.

There they found Willard D. McNew, 42, of Corbin screaming and cursing armed with a .45-caliber pistol.

After a brief standoff, Sheriff John Root said he was talked into laying the gun down.

McNew was jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center and faces charges of second-degree disorderly conduct and menacing.

Couple arrested after assaulting each other

An East Bernstadt couple was jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Facility Friday after deputies received a complaint of a domestic disturbance.

Gordon L. Browning, 49, and his wife, Mae A. Browning, 45, both of Huff Road, face charges of fourth-degree assault by domestic violence, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Laurel County deputies Robbie Grimes, Milton Storm and Josh Scott were dispatched to Browning Hills Road north of London to investigate the complaint and found Mrs. Browning with bruises on her arm and Browning with scratches on his cheek.