A Hopkinsville woman is facing numerous charges, including assault of a police officer and first-degree robbery, following a multiple county pursuit Friday that injured a Hopkinsville police officer.
According to the Hopkinsville police report, officers were dispatched to the Holiday Inn for reports of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was located on East Ninth Street, reportedly driven by 43-year old Jessica Payne of Hopkinsville, who allegedly refused to obey officer commands while being argumentative.
When officers began to approach the vehicle, Payne reportedly drove away at a high rate of speed. She stopped at the Holiday Inn, where the theft occurred, and was blocked in by officers. When Lt. Seth Meek attempted to break the window of the car to gain access, Payne backed up and then accelerated forward, striking Lt. Meek and running over his foot.
The report states the maneuver created a severe risk of serious physical injury or death, if Lt. Meek hadn’t been able to get out of the way quickly. Payne reportedly led officers on a pursuit that spanned multiple counties and reached speeds of around 120 miles per hour before it came to a stop in Lyon County.
It took multiple officers and pain compliance to get Payne out of the vehicle—an open alcohol container was found inside. The victim of the robbery told officers that Payne had become enraged and violent when he attempted to take his keys back from her after she had taken the car the day before. She reportedly attacked the victim, leaving visible injuries.
Payne is charged with first-degree assault of an officer, first-degree robbery, first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, DUI and resisting arrest.