LONDON KY—On Thursday, March 3rd, London Police received a request for London/Laurel County Dispatch to locate a stolen 2003 red Ford Mustang taken from Ky Auto Mart in Corbin, Ky. Det. Sgt. Joe Smith located the stolen vehicle and later arrested a woman from Corbin.
Det. Sgt. Smith noticed the stolen vehicle traveling west on KY-192 and attempted to stop it at Pier One Boat Rental. The driver, Laurel R. Simpson, 21, of Holly Grove Road in Corbin refused to stop and continued traveling on KY-192, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph. Simpson forced multiple vehicles off the roadway as she traveled west. In addition, Simpson showed complete disregard for human life while traveling west in the eastbound lane. She turned on to London Dock Road and continued to drive until the end of the road. She immediately made a U-turn and began traveling east.
While leading police in pursuit, Simpson nearly struck London Police Officer Justin Roby, and subsequently, Kentucky State Police Trooper Les Moses was also nearly struck by Simpson as he attempted to deploy spike strips in an effort to safely end the pursuit. A second set of spike strips were deployed as she continued at a high rate of speed past Craigs Creek on KY-192. After a 28 minute pursuit, Simpson’s vehicle was safely brought to a halt and she was arrested without incident.
London Police Officers Greg Turner and Justin Roby assisted in the pursuit as well as several officers with the Kentucky State Police and Laurel County Sheriff’s Department. London Police are continuing the investigation.
Laurel R. Simpson was arrested and charged with first-degree fleeing and evading police in a vehicle, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment, receiving stolen property under $10,000, driving under the influence, speeding 26 mph or greater than the speed limit, two counts of operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, failure to wear a seat-belt, third-degree criminal mischief, and failure to maintain required insurance or security of the first offense.
