North Carolina man arrested in Paducah after police chase

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – A North Carolina man faces DUI and drug charges in Paducah after police say he ran from Illinois authorities.

Thomas J. Prevatte, 43, of Wagram, North Carolina faces charges of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended operator’s license, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia, and on a Madison County warrant charging him with failure to appear.

Paducah police say Prevatte which ran out of gas near mile marker 5 of Interstate 24 in Paducah.

Paducah police were notified just after 4 a.m. Friday that Massac County, Ill. authorities were chasing a truck, and they were entering McCracken County on Interstate 24.

The vehicle apparently ran out of gas and rolled to a stop against a guardrail, according to police.

The driver refused to exit the vehicle for about 20 minutes, but finally surrendered.

Prevatte was arrested and told officers he had swallowed methamphetamine and fentanyl while refusing to exit the truck so officers wouldn’t find it, according to police.

He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was then booked into McCracken County Regional Jail.

Police say additional charges are likely.