2 taken into custody following traffic stop, high-speed pursuit in Christian County

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) — After arresting a man for an outstanding warrant during a traffic stop, Christian County deputies ended up chasing after a woman who reportedly drove off in the stopped vehicle.

According to the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, a detective from the Anti-Crime Unit (ACU) initiated a traffic stop along Fort Campbell Boulevard, near Baldwins Appliance, around 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. The vehicle involved was occupied by 41-year-old Brian Smith of Hopkinsville, who had an active warrant for failure to appear.

Authorities said Smith was removed from the vehicle and arrested on the warrant. Meanwhile, the passenger — identified as 35-year-old Heather Ballard of Hopkinsville — reportedly took control of the vehicle and fled.

Deputies said Ballard led them on a high-speed pursuit through various streets, including Marietta Drive, Patrick Avenue, and Fort Campbell Boulevard. During the chase, Ballard allegedly demonstrated reckless disregard for public safety, failed to yield at multiple stop signs and intersections, and almost hit several vehicles.

According to officials, the pursuit continued onto Pennyrile Parkway, where Ballard tried to cross over into oncoming traffic, but deputies prevented her from doing so, at which point her vehicle struck two vehicles from the sheriff’s office.

After refusing to exit the vehicle, Ballard was taken into custody and charged with the following offenses, authorities said:

• Resisting arrest
• First-degree fleeing or evading police
• First-degree wanton endangerment
• First-degree criminal mischief
• Disregarding/failing to yield right of way
• Third-degree assault (police officer or probation officer)
• Failure to use or improperly using signal

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In addition, officials said Ballard was served with five outstanding warrants for felony probation violation.

In a statement released on Friday, Aug. 16 , the sheriff’s office commended “the swift and professional response of its Deputies and Detectives in apprehending the suspect and ensuring public safety.”

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