What started as a stolen wrecker-tow truck in Laurel County turned into a police pursuit in McCreary County after the stolen vehicle rammed a park ranger’s emergency vehicle near Cumberland Falls. It ended with the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the rescue of the suspects, who had fallen from a high cliff, were found at the base of it and had to be rescued by first responders from Whitley County, according to a Kentucky State Police news release.
The wrecker was reported stolen on Friday (June 6). It has been taken from Clay Avenue in southern Laurel County between May 26 – June 6, the Laurel County Sheriff’s office reported.
About 9:30 p.m. Friday, KSP received information regarding that the stolen wrecker was located parked near Cumberland Falls. Park Ranger Jones located the wrecker backed into a parking space and approached the vehicle and saw a male driver and female passenger inside, the KSP release stated.
“While attempting to identify the individuals, the male operator fled the scene in the vehicle, ramming and causing significant damage to Park Ranger Jones’s emergency vehicle,” the release stated.
McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy Ridner initiated a vehicle pursuit.
“During the pursuit, the suspect attempted to strike Deputy Ridner’s cruiser by putting the wrecker in reverse and accelerating aggressively. The suspect ultimately eluded law enforcement. The abandoned wrecker was later located in a wooded area,” according to the release.
Williamsburg Police Department Assistant Chief Brandon White responded with a thermal imaging drone after troopers determined that both the driver and passenger had fled on foot.
Police determined that the two suspects had fallen from a high cliff.
White located the two suspects with the thermal imaging drone and guided troopers to the suspects’ location, which was at the base of a cliff. They suffered serious injuries, the release stated.
Woodbine Fire and Rescue and the Corbin Fire Department conducted a high-angle recovery to safely extract the individuals.
The suspects were identified as Rex Vaughn, 55, of Mount Vernon, and Thelma Travillian, 40, of Williamsburg. Illegal drugs were located at the scene and are believed to have been a contributing factor.
Vaughn was charged with receiving stolen property (value $10,000 or more), first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer), first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), possession of marijuana and prescription controlled substance not in proper container.
Travillian was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Both were taken to Baptist Health Corbin for their injuries.
KSP Trooper Kyle Trosper is continuing the investigation. He was assisted by KSP personnel, Woodbine Fire and Rescue, the Corbin Fire Department, park rangers, the Williamsburg Police Department and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office.
