Chicago man denies drunken chase with Jellico police

A Chicago man pleaded not guilty last week to charges of that he allegedly fled from Jellico police while intoxicated into Kentucky on I-75.

Shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday, Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Foley charged Pablo R. Vazquez, 44, with second-degree fleeing or evading police, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

About 5:30 a.m., Foley was called to the one-mile marker after Jellico officers tried to stop Vazquez’s 2009 Toyota in Tennessee. He wouldn’t stop until he crossed over into Kentucky, Foley wrote on the arrest citation.

Vazquez had slurred speech, smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet, failed three field sobriety tests and had open alcohol containers in his vehicle, according to his arrest citation.

He refused a Breathalyzer test, Foley wrote.

Jellico police cited Vazquez for speeding, DUI, a financial responsibility violation, a safety belt violation and for driving left of center, according to court documents.

Vazquez is scheduled to appear in Campbell County General Sessions Court on July 10 to answer his Tennessee charges.

During Thursday afternoon’s arraignment, District Judge Jason Price reduced Vazquez’s bond from $1,000 cash to $500 cash and set a June 24 hearing in the case.

Jellico Police Detective J.J. Hatmaker and Officer Wayne Barton assisted with the investigation.