Man flips car, assaults officer

Whitley County sheriff’s deputies say alcohol was likely a contributing factor in a crash along I-75 late Monday afternoon where a man flipped over the truck he was driving, and then walked away with a cut to his head.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Meadors said the wreck happened on I-75 near the 10-mile marker about 4:20 p.m.

“The subject was driving recklessly and lost control of his vehicle. He swerved, flipped one time and came to rest on the shoulder” where the vehicle skidded to a stop on its top, Meadors said.

He said the suspect, who had a strong odor of alcohol, then exited the truck and took off across the median trying to hitch a ride with a semi.

Williamsburg Police Officer Bobby Freeman said the suspect traveled about one quarter of a mile on foot before being stopped by police.

Meadors said the suspect refused to give authorities his name at the crash scene, and later asked for medical treatment after first refusing it.

Meadors said when he opened the back of a police cruiser to ask the suspect his name a second time that the suspect kicked him in the left shoulder. At that point, Meadors maced the suspect.
Police later identified the man as Andrew Dailey, 40, of Nicholasville, according to the Whitley County Detention Center.

Meadors charged Dailey with third-degree assault, third-offense driving while under the influence, disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended license and other offenses.
Meadors said that the suspect is lucky to be alive.

“Anytime alcohol is involved, it usually doesn’t hurt them for some reason,” Meadors noted.
He said the 1991 Chevy S-10 pick-up truck that Dailey was driving was totaled in the crash.

Other officers assisting at the scene included Deputy Cecil Powers and acting Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird.