Kentucky State Police Investigating Collision in Ballard County Following Pursuit
LA CENTER, Ky. (July 12, 2024) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 is investigating a three vehicle collision that occurred in Ballard County following a pursuit that began in McCracken County.
Shortly before 9:00am CT, KSP Post 1 received a request from the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout for a suspect of multiple violent felony offenses in reference to an ongoing investigation of an incident that had occurred earlier this morning. KSP Post 1 was then notified around 9:30am CT that officers from the Paducah Police Department located the suspect vehicle and were in pursuit of the vehicle. KSP Post 1 troopers, along with officers from multiple other agencies, responded to assist. Deputies with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office maintained lead of the pursuit as it entered Ballard County on US 60. The pursued vehicle was identified as a 2018 Toyota Camry being operated by Noah Driver, 24 years old of Paducah, KY who was wanted in connection to multiple violent felony offenses.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the pursued Toyota Camry, operated by Noah Driver, was traveling westbound on US 60. Rebecca Clark, 78 years old of Ellington, MO was operating a 2021 Nissan Rouge eastbound on US 60 with passenger, Kenneth Clark, 78 years old of Ellington, MO. Christopher Hargrove, 51 years old of Kevil, KY was operating a 2013 Cadillac XTS westbound on US 60 with passenger, Kelley Long, 48 years old of Kevil, KY. The Toyota Camry struck the rear driver’s side of the Cadillac XTS, causing the Cadillac to overturn into the parking lot of La Oasis Gas Station. After striking the Cadillac, the Toyota veered into the eastbound lane of travel, striking the Nissan Rouge. The Nissan came to final rest in the ditch on the south side of the roadway while the Toyota came to final rest in the parking lot of La Oasis.
Both occupants of the Cadillac were transported by Air Evac to an out of state hospital with serious injuries. Both occupants of the Nissan were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Noah Driver was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries.
It was determined that the Toyota Camry being operated by Noah Driver was stolen, along with a firearm that he was in possession of at the time of the collision.
Noah Driver was arrested and charged by KSP with Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm), Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or more, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Impairing Substance, and Speeding Greater than 26 MPH Over the Limit. He was transported to the Marshall County Jail by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.
The collision reconstruction investigation remains ongoing by Trooper Casey Hamby. KSP was assisted on scene by McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, Paducah Police Department, Ballard County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Mercy EMS, Ballard County EMS, Air Evac, Ballard County Emergency Management, Ballard County Rescue Squad, and La Center Fire Department.
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