Adair County Sheriff’s Department made three DUI arrests over the weekend in unrelated incidents.
Highway East 80
On Friday night, deputies were dispatched to a car sitting in the roadway about eight miles east of Columbia on Hwy. 80. Deputy Joey Keith met the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. While Keith was standing outside the stopped car, the operator of the vehicle drove off.
A brief pursuit ensued, with the driver backing into Keith’s cruiser and then striking a second cruiser being operated by Deputy Nick Barber. The pursuit ended when the operator of the car ran into a ditch.
Annie McNelly, 30, of Russell Springs, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence; fleeing or evading police, 1st degree; two counts of wanton endangerment of a police officer, 1st degree; criminal mischief, 1st degree; and no insurance.
No one was injured in the incident. Sheriff Gary Roy would like to commend the deputies for their quick, decisive action that they took to get the impaired driver stopped. McNelly was blatantly showing disregard to public safety by refusing to stop her motor vehicle at the direction of a law enforcement officer, Roy said.
Highway 206
On Saturday night, deputies were dispatched to a three-vehicle injury accident about 11 miles out Highway 206. A 2005 Chevrolet pickup operated by Aaron Wilkerson, 35, of Columbia, crossed the centerline and struck a 2012 Nissan pickup operated by Jean McCormack, 59, of Tennessee. The Wilkerson vehicle then struck a 2012 Dodge pickup operated by Archie Burton, 75, of Columbia.
Burton was transported to a Danville hospital by private vehicle.
Wilkerson was charged with operating motor vehicle under the influence; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia, and wanton endangerment, 2nd degree.
Deputy Josh Durbin is investigating the accident.
Cumberland Parkway
Deputies were dispatched to a second accident on Saturday night that occurred just off the exit on the Cumberland Parkway. A 2013 Buick Encore being operated by Erica Ellis, 46, of Somerset ran off the roadway and overturned several times.
The female was outside of the vehicle when deputies arrived. She had minor scratches but refused medical treatment.
Ellis was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence and lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail. Deputy Joey Keith is the investigating the accident.
