Paducah man arrested after leading deputies on pursuit in stolen truck

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) — A Paducah man was arrested Thursday, Oct. 8, after authorities say he led deputies on a pursuit through multiple counties in a stolen pickup truck.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy spotted a stolen pickup truck traveling east on Interstate 24 near mile marker 16 around 2:40 a.m. The truck had been reported stolen to the Paducah Police Department earlier that evening.

The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over and continued east on I-24 through Marshall and Livingston counties before entering Lyon County.

Authorities said the driver attempted to pass a tractor-trailer in a construction zone in Lyon County. During the maneuver, the truck struck a guardrail and became disabled.

The driver, identified as Francisco Starks, 49, of Paducah, was taken into custody without further incident.

Starks was transported to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical condition.

According to the sheriff’s office, Starks will be taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail upon his release from the hospital.

He faces several charges, including first-degree fleeing or evading police, driving on a suspended or revoked license, first-offense driving under the influence with aggravating circumstances, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree wanton endangerment, reckless driving, receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and speeding at least 26 mph over the posted limit.

The investigation remains ongoing.