Photo courtesy of John Wright/The Paducah Sun || Marshall County deputies David Maddox and Robert Johnson pursued the stolen 2000 Ford Focus (above) through Marshall and McCracken counties before ending the chase by forcing it off the road.

Two-county chase results in numerous charges

Marshall County
deputies pursue
driver in stolen
vehicle

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

McCracken County – What began as traffic stop in Fairdealing on New Year’s Day turned into a two-county chase ending with the suspect being forced off the road.

There were plenty of close calls along the way.

“Pursuits are never a desirable thing,” said Chief Deputy David Maddox. “Somtimes they are necessary, but never desirable.”

The chase began at 9:30 a.m. Maddox, on patrol along U.S. 68, spotted a 2000 Ford Focus partially over the center line travelling approximately 87 miles per hour. According to Maddox’s report, the car attempted to flee as soon as he engaged the lights on his cruiser.

The Focus, driven by Shannon McClure, 22, continued on at a high rate of speed.

Deputy Robert Johnson joined the pursuit in Draffenville. The chase continued along U.S. 68 until the Focus tried to turn onto a side road near Southern Pride truck stop. Unable to navigate the turn at the high rate of speed, the Focus struck a fence and came to a stop.

Maddox’s cruiser pinned the Focus in and both deputies attempted to apprehend McClure and his passenger, Shon O. Williams. Before the deputies could get to McClure, he put his vehicle in reverse, nearly hitting Maddox and Johnson as he made his way onto another side road.

The pursuit continued along a number of McCracken County side roads before Johnson was able to end the chase using the Pursuit Intervention Technique. Johnson was able to force the Focus into a ditch along Said Road.

Maddox said the pursuit lasted approximately 20 minutes.

Both McClure and Williams were transported to Lourdes hospital in Paducah before being taken to jail.

McClure was charged with speeding, reckless driving, fleeing or evading police first degree (felony), operating a motor vehicle under the influence alcohol/ drugs, two counts of wanton endangerment first degree (felony), improper passing, improper lane usage, operating on DUI suspended license, failure of non owner/ operator to maintain required insurance.

Williams, of Paducah, was arrested by Sergeant Kevin Lynn of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and charged with alcohol intoxication. He was lodged in the McCracken County Detention Center.

Later in the day, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office released that the Focus driven by McClure was reported stolen, which is currently under investigation.

“The next day we charged him with receiving stolen property,” Maddox said. “He was not the owner of that vehicle.”