High Speed Pursuit From Glasgow Ends In Green River Past City Park: Three Arrested

Driver Swims Across River In Attempt To Flee, Captured On Other Side

Darren Doyle, story:
A high speed pursuit that began in Glasgow has ended in Brownsville after the driver drove into the Green River in an attempt to flee from law enforcement.

According to Brownsville Police, local law enforcement were notified that a high speed chase was headed into Edmonson County around 7pm on Monday, June 25, 2018, after a traffic stop went haywire in Glasgow when Glasgow Police attempted to make a traffic stop on a Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Joshua Soukup, (38), of Louisville.

Police said that during the attempted stop, Soukup attempted to run over a Glasgow officer and fled the scene. Brownsville Police joined the pursuit as the vehicle entered the city limits where speeds were in excess of 90 MPH through town and onto Washington Street. The pursuit continued up the tiny side street under the bridge past the entrance to the city park where the car drove straight off the boat ramp into the river. 

Police said the driver immediately exited the vehicle and swam across the river to the other side in an attempt to get away. One passenger, Dana Geer, (50), of Louisville, exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Officers crossed the river and traveled down Lock Road where they soon picked up the driver and took him into custody. Police said as the car sunk below the water, another passenger surfaced out of the vehicle. Amanda Minyard, (26), of Louisville, made it out of the car, gasping for air. She was then taken into custody. 

Police said that one of the passengers said the driver purposely drove the car into the water in an attempt to flee. The driver was said to have three outstanding warrants. Police said they also found what appeared to be meth in the vehicle or possibly cocaine; however they could not confirm the actual substance at the time of this article.

Submerged car being prepared for extraction from river.

​The driver and passengers are facing multiple felonies from this incident from Glasgow Police, Barren County Sheriff's Office, and Brownsville Police, including several wanton endangerment charges, as well as fleeing and evading and drug trafficking and possession charges. 

After being transported to T.J. Sampson Hospital for evaluation, all three will be lodged in the Barren County Detention Center, according to police.

"It's a miracle that no one was injured in this incident," said BPD Officer Dustin Harvey. "Driving into the river and escaping injury is one thing, but we had several residents, including children out in the area at the same time."

Multiple agencies responded during the incident, including Glasgow Police, Barren County Sheriff's Office, Brownsville Police, KSP, Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, National Park Service, Dist. 2 and Dist. 5 Constables, Edmonson EMS, and multiple first responders from various local fire departments.

Officer Harvey said cooperation from multiple agencies was a key factor in the arrests.

"We're very grateful for the excellent working relationship we have with not only our local agencies, but our surrounding counties and cities," he said. "We appreciate the cooperation from Glasgow as well as the others."

The investigation is still ongoing and more charges are pending.