LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A man is behind bars after a police pursuit that ended with a multi-vehicle crash in western Kentucky.
The incident happened around 7:18 a.m. Friday when deputies from the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office were called to a fire at a home on Almyra Avenue in Paducah.
Deputies said when they arrived, they learned the fire was intentionally set by 24-year-old Noah Driver who used some type of “homemade incendiary device” after he choked a woman who was also in inside the home.
The woman was able to get away from Driver and others who were inside the home got out unharmed. Police did say a dog died in the fire.
Driver stole a vehicle belonging to someone at the home and was being sought by the police. At the time, Driver was armed with a gun, a large sword and was wearing a tactical vest. Police also stated Driver allegedly made threats that he was not going to jail.
He was spotted just before 9:30 a.m. when Paducah Police saw him at Park Avenue and 21st Street. The officer tried to stop Driver, but he fled, traveling onto U.S. Highway 60 West and eventually travelled into Ballard County.
Shortly after, police said Driver caused a three-vehicle crash in the La Center community that ended with multiple people injured.
Driver crashed into a 2013 Cadillac XTS causing it to overturn into a parking lot of a nearby gas station. The driver, 51-year-old Christopher Hargrove of Kevil, Kentucky, and passenger, Desiree Fisher of Paducah, were airlifted to an out-of-state hospital with serious injuries.
After hitting the Cadillac, Driver veered into the eastbound lane and struck a Nissan Rogue. Rebecca Clark, 78, and Kenneth Clark, 78, of Ellington, Missouri were taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Driver was also treated at the hospital but later booked at the Marshall County Jail.
Police also determined the Toyota Camry he was driving was stolen, along with the gun he possessed at the time of the crash.
Driver is facing numerous charges from KSP including fleeing and evading police, assault, criminal mischief receiving stolen property, DUI and speeding greater than 26 mph over the limit.
His charges in McCracken County include arson, strangulation, wanton endangerment, assault, theft by unlawful taking – firearm, theft by unlawful taking – motor vehicle, violation of conditions of release, use of weapon of mass destruction and torture of dog/cat causing death.
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