Law Enforcement: Man Shows Open Beer to Sheriff in Vehicle, Arrested After Pursuit

Ethan Ashley, (37) of Brownsville.

Darren Doyle, story:
A Brownsville man faces multiple charges after an incident with law enforcement in a store parking lot turned into a short pursuit yesterday.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, on Wednesday, April 15th at approximately 10:45AM, a male subject in a gray Ford pulled into a parking spot at the Family Dollar in Brownsville, right next to Sheriff James Vincent's vehicle. Sheriff Vincent and Jailer Todd Vincent had made a trip to the store; the jailer went inside while the sheriff remained in his law enforcement SUV. The Sheriff's Office stated that the individual in the Ford acknowledged the sheriff as the subject held up an open beer can and then fled the scene.

The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Brownsville Police Department, initiated a pursuit with all emergency equipment activated, traveling south through the Brownsville city limits, according to the Sheriff's Office. The pursuit continued east onto Mammoth Cave Road, (KY HWY 70) where law enforcement was able to overtake the subject's vehicle and began slowing down, the Sheriff's Office stated. 

Law enforcement reported the subject then rear-ended a sheriff’s office vehicle before coming to a stop. The driver was identified as Ethan Ashley, (37) of Brownsville. He was taken into custody without further incident. He is being held on a $10,000 bond, according to Hart County Jail.

Ashley was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance and then transported and lodged in the Hart County
Jail. He was charged with:

• Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, 1st degree, aggravated circumstance
• Failure of Owner to Maintain Required Insurance-1st
• Possess Open Alcohol Beverage Container in Motor Vehicle
• Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle)
• Wanton Endangerment-1st Degree-Police Officer