A Florida man is in custody after leading local law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase through two states late Friday night.
WRIL reports that a short time after 11:30 p.m. on Friday (September 20) Barbourville Police attempted a traffic stop on a motorcyclist going 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. That led the operator, later identified as 23-year-old Cameron Jackson of Kissimmee, Florida, to flee at a higher rate of speed (near 120 mph) on Highway 25E southbound. As the pursuit continued, it was joined by Knox County Deputies and Kentucky State Police units.
Jackson made his way into Bell County where Bell County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the chase and then into Middlesboro with officers there assisting. The group continued into the Cumberland Gap Tunnel where Jackson was seen on video traveling the distance of “1 mile in 23 seconds.” Jackson led officers onto Highway 63 and Kentucky law enforcement terminated the pursuit when speeds reached 140 mph.
Bell County Deputy Hunter Luttrell stated in a citation that Jackson: “disregarded any value to human life and put officers and other motorists in extreme danger.”
The Barbourville Police Department continued their investigation and learned from witnesses that an individual had gone to pick up Jackson in Virginia after he left his motorcycle at a Ewing church. This led Lee County Virginia Deputies to locate the vehicle.
Barbourville Police located Jackson crossing over the Knox County/Bell County line and he attempted to flee again on Highway 92, but was stopped and arrested. He was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center charged by Barbourville Police with: Speeding (25 mph over the limit), Reckless Driving, Fleeing or Evading Police – 1st degree, four counts of Wanton Endangerment – 1st degree – Police Officer, No Registration Plates, Expired Operators License and Improper Display of Registration Plates. He was held on a $25,000 cash bond.
Additionally, the Bell County Sheriff’s Department has charged him with: six counts of Wanton Endangerment – 1st degree – Police Officer, Reckless Driving and Careless Driving. For those charges he is held on a $150,000 cash bond.
More charges are pending in the case.