Grand jury to hear officer assault case

Published 4:20 pm Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Lexington man accused of punching a Clark County Deputy  in the face following an early morning pursuit last week decided to send his cases to the Clark County grand jury Wednesday.

William Edward Owings, 44, is facing a dozen charges from the Oct. 17 incident including third-degree assault of a police officer and driving under the influence.

According to court documents, it took three officers to subdue and arrest Owings after he allegedly tried to hit one officer with the pickup truck he was driving.

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The incident was reported around 4:36 a.m. Oct. 17 when Winchester Police patrolman Matthew Reed saw a Toyota pickup truck exit Interstate 64 at exit 96, cross three lanes of traffic and nearly strike another vehicle. When Reed attempted to stop the truck, the driver sped away, failing to stop for three stop signs. The truck stopped after it hit another vehicle on Spruce Court.

Reed said the truck hit his cruiser after he got out for a traffic stop. The pursuit resumed to C.G. Stephenson Drive as other officers joined the pursuit. Ultimately, the driver lost control of the truck in a field, struck two cruisers and stopped at the end of Washington Square.

The driver then got out and fled, until being caught by officers. Reed said a Taser was used to get Owings to comply. Ultimately, it took three officers to handcuff Owings, according to the citation.

Owings was being held on a $75,000 bond, which was lowered to $20,000 Wednesday in Clark District Court.

Owings was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence, first-degree fleeing or evading police (two counts),  disregarding a stop sign, leaving the scene of an accident, first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, failure to maintain insurance and first-degree criminal mischief.

Contact Fred Petke at fred.petke@winchestesun.com.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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