Tuesday Update: Lampley pleaded not guilty in Marshall County District Court on Monday to numerous charges, including felony counts of fleeing from police and possessing methamphetamine.
(Friday) 3rd Update: Paducah Police say six people were injured this afternoon after a Waste Path truck driving on the wrong side of the road struck numerous vehicles. Lampley may also be charged with multiple counts of first-degree assault.
Seven passenger vehicles and one semi-truck were struck. Besides the six injured, there were 19 other people in the affected vehicles. Paducah Area Transit System buses delivered the victims to Lourdes Hospital. One of the injured was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Paducah Police Chief Brandon Barnhill said in a press conference Friday afternoon that it was not yet known if the Waste Path truck had been stolen or if Lampley was an employee at Waste Path.
2nd Update: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says both westbound lanes of I-24 are open between Calvert City at Exit 25 and Paducah at Exit 7. Traffic is moving slowly.
Update: Driver identified as 23-year-old Dalton M. Lampley of Calvert City. Lampley has been taken into custody. Kentucky State Police describe the incident. See below.
Kentucky State Police say at 1 p.m they responded to assist the McCracken County Sheriff Department in a pursuit after multiple calls to McCracken County dispatch reported a dump truck traveling the wrong way on the interstate leading to numerous collisions. The truck became 'disabled' near Highway 62.
Ten vehicles have reportedly collided with the truck. Numerous people were transported to local hospitals. Some injuries are believed to be life threatening.
Lampley was transported to Marshall County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Upon his release he was lodged at the Marshall County Jail for charges involving 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree Wanton Endangerment of a Police Officer, 1st Offense Driving Under the Influence, 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest.
An investigation is continuing.
Earlier:
Traffic was at a standstill on I-24 in Paducah this afternoon due to numerous accidents involving a reportedly stolen dump truck. The roads have reopened. Kentucky State Police Trooper Jody Cash said KSP believes that the driver of the truck failed to yield at a traffic stop and was then pursued by McCracken County police.
Cash said the truck crossed the median on I-24 where multiple collisions followed. He said KSP believes the driver was under the influence, but it’s too early to confirm.
Lindsay Nixon posted a video of the incident on Facebook this afternoon showing a large truck with a blue bed passing several cars on the wrong side of the road. She said the driver crossed the guardrail into oncoming traffic.
Cash said there has been at least one life-threatening injury and KSP cannot confirm any deaths. The drier is a male. His name and age has not been released. He being transported to Marshall County jail. Lourdes Hospital says several staff members are on the scene.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has issued a release reporting multiple crashes on the westbound lane from Exit 7 to Exit 25. The road is clear, but there are some blockages. KYTC advises motorists to detour via US 62 from Calvert City to Paducah.
