Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 115, No. 9	February 27, 2008

Road ends in water
– and so does police pursuit

Photo by Sandra Stone
A vehicle pursuit in the early morning hours of Feb. 21 ended at the end of Main Street in downtown Brandenburg – where the road ends in the Ohio River. Dennis M. Hill Jr.,Battletown, who swam off, was apprehended several hours later in the parking lot at First Federal Savings Bank in Brandenburg. Divers with Louisville Metro Water Rescue recovered the vehicle as well as several items that had fallen into the river.

By MIKE CUMMINGS
Public Information Office
Meade County Sheriff’s Department

According to Meade County Sheriff William “Butch” Kerrick, three people are in custody following a vehicle pursuit in the early hours of Feb. 21. Units from the Meade County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentucky State Police were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle loaded with stolen property.

In the course of the investigation, officers located two vehicles on Hwy 1638 near Doe Valley at about 4:10 a.m. and attempted to stop them. One suspect fled in a stolen truck, leading officers on a pursuit that lasted approximately 10 minutes and ended when the driver took the truck down the boat ramp at the foot of Main Street in Brandenburg and into the Ohio River.

Dennis M. Hill Jr., 29, Battletown, left the vehicle and swam downstream despite efforts of officers from the Meade County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky State Police and Brandenburg City Police to retrieve him from the frigid waters.

Louisville Metro Water Rescue and units from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife were called to the scene to search for the suspect in boats.

Officers searched for hours, finally locating Dennis Hill Jr. in the parking lot of First Federal Savings Bank in Brandenburg. He attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended, taken into custody and lodged in the Meade County Jail on charges of wanton endangerment 1st degree – police officer, fleeing and evading 1st and 2nd degree, receiving stolen property over $300, resisting arrest, reckless driving and failure to notify DOT of address change.

Two other suspects who were in the second vehicle were taken into custody at 4:20 a.m. on Hwy 1638 and lodged in the Meade County Jail.

Alan Hill, 29, Bardstown, was charged with possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property over $300.

Angela Hill, 28, Battletown, wife of Dennis Hill, was charged with possession of a controlled substance 3rd and prescription drugs in improper container.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

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