A man was arrested in Louisville, on Wednesday after police said in June, he fled from officers and caused an injury crash while driving a stolen vehicle.
Bristol Baird, 38, of Louisville, is facing the following charges:
Three counts of criminal mischief (second degree)
Wanton endangerment (first degree)
Leaving scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance
Fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle (first degree)
Theft of motor vehicle registration plate/renewal decal/tag
Obscuring the identity of a machine worth $10,000 or more
Receiving stolen property worth $10,000 or more
Buying/possessing drug paraphernalia
Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine (first degree)
On June 29, Louisville Metro Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 2200 block of Dundee Road in the Belknap neighborhood, according to his arrest citation.
Officers approached the vehicle and found Baird and a woman sleeping inside a Lincoln Navigator that had been reported stolen.
Baird gave officers false information, including a fake name, date of birth and social security number. As police began speaking to the woman, Baird started the vehicle and drove off, despite officers commanding him to turn the vehicle off.
In accordance with Louisville Metro Police Department policy, officers did not pursue the vehicle. About four minutes later, officers were dispatched to a nearby injury collision, which officers discovered involved the same vehicle that fled from police moments earlier.
Officers found the woman who was originally a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle lying on the ground, receiving treatment from EMS for serious injuries. She said Baird fled the scene without rendering aid and she told officers his true name and date of birth.
A witness at the scene told police he yelled for Baird to “stop running,” but he ignored him. The witness also provided a clothing description that matched what officers had observed earlier.
Investigators determined Baird was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with two parked vehicles, causing damage exceeding $500 to each vehicle and substantially damaging both.
Investigators also discovered the Lincoln Navigator he was driving had been stolen from a CSX railcar and has never been registered or insured. The license plate on the vehicle did not belong to a Lincoln SUV and was used to conceal the fact that the vehicle was stolen. Additionally, Baird was driving on a suspended license.
Officers saw drug paraphernalia, including a needle and syringe, in plain view inside the vehicle. Suspected methamphetamine also fell out of the vehicle during the collision, according to his arrest citation.
The stolen vehicle was towed from the scene and is believed to be a total loss due to extensive damage sustained in the collision, resulting in over $500 in damages. The value of the stolen Lincoln SUV is between $10,000 and $100,000, according to police.
Baird is a multi-time convicted felon and was out on bond from Jefferson Circuit Court at the time of these alleged offenses.
Baird is being held at Louisville Metro Department of Correction on a $50,000 bond. He is expected back in court on August 21.
Source: WHAS11
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