Man Arrested after High-Speed Chase and Shooting in Hawesville has been Indicted
By Jennifer WimmerCarl Newhard, of Lewisport, appeared before the Grand Jury on February 28th, and has been indicted. He had a warrant out for his arrest in Daviess County, and evaded arrest on January 14th. This led to a high-speed chase from Lewisport to Hawesville.
The chase ended with Newhard crashing his truck into the Hancock County Museum caboose on River Street in Hawesville. He was then shot at when he pointed a weapon at the arresting officer, and while a Hancock County School bus was in the vicinity with children onboard.
Grand Jury Charges
The Grand Jury charges are as follows: Count 1, Fleeing or Evading in the First Degree, when with intent to elude of flee, knowingly disobeyed a direction to stop, given by a police officer, thereby creating a risk of serious physical injury or death to others while operating under the influence; Count 2-22, Wanton Endangerment in the First Degree by wantonly engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person; Count 23-24, Wanton Endangerment in the First Degree by engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to a police officer; Count 25, Disregarding Stop Sign, failed to properly stop at clearly marked stop sign; Count 26, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs; Count 27, Disregarding Traffic Light, failed to properly stop at clearly marked traffic light; Count 28, Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, knowingly and unlawfully possessing a quantity of methamphetamine; Count 29, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, knowingly and unlawfully had in possession items used for the distribution and ingestion of controlled substances; Counts 30-32, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree, with knowledge that it was forged, and with the intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, a counterfeit $100 bill; and Counts 33-34, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, intentionally damaged property causing pecuniary loss of $500 or more.
Bond was set at $50,000. The Arraignment is scheduled for Friday, March 7th at 10:00 a.m. Conditions of the bond are: no use of alcohol or drugs; no new arrests or violation of law; no use/possess of firearm or other weapon; no possession of police scanners; must pay $25 bond fee and $40 Sheriff’s services fee before release; must sign a waiver of search and seizure; must pay all jail fees before release; no contact with victim or their family; pay current child support; curfew from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. except for employment, court appearances, meetings with attorney, or medical emergencies; maintain employment; and must submit to weekly drug tests at defendant’s cost if requested.
As reported in The Clarion, Newhard, 60, was evading arrest and had speeded out of Lewisport toward Hawesville on the afternoon of January 14th. Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hendrick observed the truck passing him at the intersection of Big River Road and River Road, and initiated his emergency equipment in an attempt to stop him.
He continued speeding eastbound on River Road, making no attempt to stop. Deputy Aaron Emmick setup at the intersection of Main Street and Adams Street with spike strips. Those were successful in rendering 3 of Newhard’s tires flat. Nonetheless, he continued through the City of Hawesville on Main Street at 70 MPH, and ran through the stop sign at the intersection of Harrison Street and Main Street, as well as the traffic light at the intersection of Madison Street and Main Street.
He continued speeding eastbound on River Road, making no attempt to stop. Deputy Aaron Emmick setup at the intersection of Main Street and Adams Street with spike strips. Those were successful in rendering 3 of Newhard’s tires flat. Nonetheless, he continued through the City of Hawesville on Main Street at 70 MPH, and ran through the stop sign at the intersection of Harrison Street and Main Street, as well as the traffic light at the intersection of Madison Street and Main Street.
Deputy Hendrick advised that the truck made an attempt to cross the bridge into Indiana, before coming off the roadway and returning to the roadway on Bridge Street. Once on Bridge Street, the truck came off the roadway again, nearly striking the bridge pillar. After passing the pillar, Newhard crashed into the red caboose attached to the Hancock County Museum.
Deputy Hendrick utilized the front of his vehicle to pin Newhard’s driver door shut, to prevent further fleeing action. Newhard brandished what appeared to be a firearm out of the driver’s side window, and pointed it at Deputy Hendrick, who then retreated to the rear of his vehicle before opening fire on the truck and striking him with two rounds.
Newhard dropped the weapon and placed his hands out of the window. Deputy Emmick arrived on scene and helped remove him from the truck. They then found another firearm in the floorboard that had been between Newhard’s feet.
The deputies provided medical treatment until EMS arrival. Newhard was then taken in an ambulance to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Both deputies, thankfully, were unharmed. Newhard has been held at Breckinridge County Detention Center, with post-arrest complaints pending of: Fleeing or Evading Police, Disregarding Stop Sign, Wanton Endangerment – 1st Degree, Attempted Murder of First Responder (Peace Officer), and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Substance (189A.010(1C) – 1st (AGG CIR).
When the incident happened, a Hancock County School bus was in the vicinity. Bus Driver Mary Lou Brake, Bus Monitor Katie Hanks, and 13 students from various grades were onboard. Mary Lou and Katie removed themselves and the students from the area, and they deserve the ultimate praise for their actions, as do the students for being very compliant, and following instructions. HC Schools Superintendent Robby Asberry and Assistant Superintendent Nick Boling immediately visited all of the schools, and ensured that they have the mental health resources available for the students.
Kentucky State Police were called to investigate. Hancock County Sheriff’s deputies canvassed the area in an attempt to locate security camera footage. Possession of footage was captured from 105 River Street. Deputy Emmick was assigned to the case for further investigation.
When the incident happened, a Hancock County School bus was in the vicinity. Bus Driver Mary Lou Brake, Bus Monitor Katie Hanks, and 13 students from various grades were onboard. Mary Lou and Katie removed themselves and the students from the area, and they deserve the ultimate praise for their actions, as do the students for being very compliant, and following instructions. HC Schools Superintendent Robby Asberry and Assistant Superintendent Nick Boling immediately visited all of the schools, and ensured that they have the mental health resources available for the students.
Kentucky State Police were called to investigate. Hancock County Sheriff’s deputies canvassed the area in an attempt to locate security camera footage. Possession of footage was captured from 105 River Street. Deputy Emmick was assigned to the case for further investigation.
