LAUREL, Ind. — A Laurel man was arrested after leading officers on a pursuit through Laurel and into Fayette County over the weekend.
Early Saturday morning, the Laurel Police Department received a 911 call regarding a male who displayed a knife and was reported to be in the alley south of Pearl Streel.
As police responded, a pickup truck quickly approached the police car.
The officer exited his vehicle, and the driver of the pickup swerved toward the officer, and then back towards a utility pole before turning North onto Washington Street.
The truck left the roadway at the intersection of Washington and Baltimore, striking a culvert, causing it to go airborne, and blowing the right front tire.
Police say the pursuit continued through town.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department along with Brookville Police had set up spike strips at State Road 1 and Laurel Road.
The pursuit came to an end in Fayette County when the driver eventually struck a Fayette County Sheriff’s vehicle.
The driver, William Ratliff, of Laurel, was arrested on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated greater than 0.15, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated causing Endangerment.
Ratliff had a blood-alcohol level of .173, more than twice the legal limit, and also faces charges in Fayette County for Battery on a police officer.
Police also determined that Ratliff was the male involved with the knife from the original call, and could face more charges after completion of the investigation.
