Driver arrested, juvenile wanted after overnight pursuit in Graves County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) — The Graves County Sheriff’s Office says a high-speed pursuit early Monday led to the arrest of a Paducah man and the identification of a juvenile already wanted on multiple charges.

Deputies reported that at about 1:36 a.m., they observed a white 2017 Chevrolet passenger car traveling at excessive speeds near the intersection of I-69 and U.S. Highway 45 North. While on I-69, occupants of the vehicle were seen throwing items out of the window. Those items were later recovered and identified as marijuana and related paraphernalia.

The vehicle exited onto KY 121 North and continued north at speeds exceeding 100 mph, entering Carlisle County. Deputies said a passenger jumped from the vehicle along KY 307 and ran into a nearby field. The driver continued northbound before stopping near County Road 1018, where he was taken into custody.

Deputies identified the driver as Juan A. Davila Hugarte, 22, of Paducah. The passenger who fled was later identified as a 17-year-old juvenile who was already wanted on drug trafficking and escape charges.

Graves County deputies Austin Ramage and Drew Prusacyk were assisted by the Ballard County and Carlisle County sheriff’s offices. The Mayfield Police Department helped recover the drug-related items discarded during the pursuit.

Davila Hugarte was arrested on charges including speeding 120 mph in a 55-mph zone, fleeing or evading police, tampering with physical evidence, DUI, trafficking in marijuana and additional offenses. He had been out on bond from an Oct. 8 felony drug trafficking arrest by the Graves County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.

Additional charges are pending for the juvenile who fled from the vehicle.