Published: June 26, 2009 10:06 pm      

Motorcycle chase ends in Winchester

A McCreary County man is being held in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond in the Madison County Detention Center after leading authorities on a two-county high-speed motorcycle chase that ended in Winchester.

Mitchell Bell was captured after crashing his motorcycle in Winchester and attempting to flee on foot for “three or four blocks” before being apprehended in an alleyway, said Sgt. Howard Frick of the Winchester Police Department.

The chase began Thursday morning around 11:30 a.m. on Interstate 75 in Madison County when a Richmond police officer responded to a report of a motorcycle being driven recklessly at high speed, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman.

Richmond police attempted to give chase, but after Bell exited the interstate at Exit 95 and headed toward Clark County on KY 627, Reardon said traffic forced the officer to discontinue the pursuit.

“The pursuit was terminated because of the traffic and the high speed,” Reardon said. Speeds during the pursuit reportedly approached 100 mph.

Officers with Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement were notified about the chase and were able to briefly follow Bell before notifying Clark County authorities that the motorcycle was approaching Winchester, Frick said.

Bell was charged with driving under the influence, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police, no insurance, operator’s license to be in possession, reckless driving, expired registration tags and not having a valid motorcycle license.

Frick said no charges were filed by Winchester police following their apprehension of Bell.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.