UPDATED: Wild, high-speed police chase ends in south Corbin

A police chase that began about 2 p.m. on Interstate 75 at the Madison/Rockcastle County line, ended two counties later when Corbin Police deployed spike strips near the Laurel/Whitley County line.

B.J. Starlite, IV, 61, of Richmond was arrested on multiple charges associated with the chase including first-degree fleeing or evading police and six counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer.

According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Don Trosper, public affairs officer at Post 11 in London, the chase started when a trooper out of Post 7 in Richmond learned that the license plates on the minivan did match up with the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Starlite tried to flee south on I-75, reportedly reaching speeds of 100 mph on multiple occasions.

As the chase progressed south through Rockcastle and Laurel counties, Rockcastle and Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies, Mt. Vernon and London Police and Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers provided assistance.
State police tried unsuccessfully to deploy spike strips near exit 49 in Laurel County.

Laurel County sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said deputies made a second attempt to use spike strips as the chase passed the 46-mile marker, but were unable to deploy the strips before the chase passed that point.

Corbin Police were contacted for assistance as the chase approached exit 29. Colonel David Maiden deployed spike strips near the 26-mile marker, striking at least one of the mini-van’s tires.

With the tire going flat, the driver turned off the interstate at exit 25 and proceeded south on U.S. 25W toward Cumberland Falls.
Officers could be heard on the radio trying to box the minivan in to halt the chase.

Trosper said officers were able to use an immobilization technique to end the chase about a mile south of the interstate.

Starlite was also charged with theft of a motor vehicle registration plate, receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more, no registration plates, no registration receipt, no insurance and possession of a radio that sends/receives police messages.

"It is illegal to have a scanner in your vehicle without written permission from each of the agencies you are monitoring," Trosper explained.

Trosper added that the vehicle had been stolen off of a car lot in Frankfort.

"When we call the car lot, the individuals said they did not know the minivan was gone," Trosper said, noting that Starlite may face additional charges for the theft in Franklin County.

Starlite was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center. He is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.