Heather Ballard
Brian Smith
Christian County, KY-August 15th, 2024: On Thursday afternoon at around 4:00 pm, a Christian County Sheriff’s Office ACU Detective initiated a traffic stop on Fort Campbell Boulevard in the area of Baldwins Appliance, on a vehicle occupied by 41-year-old Brian Smith of Hopkinsville, who had an active warrant for Failure to Appear.
Smith was removed from the vehicle and arrested for a Failure to Appear Warrant. The passenger in the vehicle, 35-year-old Heather Ballard, also of Hopkinsville, assumed control of the vehicle and fled, leading Deputies on a high-speed pursuit through various streets, including Marietta Drive, Patrick Avenue, and Fort Campbell Boulevard. During the pursuit, Ballard demonstrated reckless disregard for public safety, failing to yield at multiple stop signs and intersections, and almost striking several vehicles.
The pursuit continued onto Pennyrile parkway, where Ballard’s vehicle was trying to cross over into oncoming traffic. Deputies prevented her from entering the oncoming traffic lanes, during which time Ballard’s vehicle struck two Sheriff’s Office vehicles. Ballard was taken into custody after refusing to exit the vehicle. She has been charged with:
1. Resisting Arrest
2. Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree
3. Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree
4. Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
5. Disregard – Fail to Yield Right of Way
6. Assault, 3rd Degree – Police Officer or Probation Officer
7. Failure to or Improper Signal
Ballard was also served with five outstanding warrants for Felony Probation Violation.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office commends the swift and professional response of its Deputies and Detectives in apprehending the suspect and ensuring public safety.
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