(PALMA, Ky.) — A Tennessee man faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a deputy and leading law enforcement on a dangerous high-speed chase through Marshall and McCracken counties early Saturday morning.
Christopher Campbell was taken into custody following a pursuit that began in the Palma community and ended with a crash in Paducah, authorities said.
Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle around the 5000 block of U.S. Highway 68 West during the early morning hours of February 1, 2026. Upon arrival, a deputy found Campbell passed out behind the wheel of a white Ford pickup truck.
When the deputy made contact and woke Campbell, the deputy suspected he was under the influence, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Campbell allegedly refused orders to exit the vehicle and instead put the truck in reverse, striking the deputy with the open driver’s door before fleeing the scene.
The pursuit headed westbound on U.S. 68 West toward Paducah’s south side. During the chase, Campbell allegedly ran off the roadway multiple times, nearly struck a bridge, and drove in the oncoming lane of traffic for nearly the entire route to Paducah.
A deputy attempted a PIT maneuver after Campbell nearly drove into a house, but the attempt was unsuccessful, authorities said.
The chase ended when Campbell crashed the pickup truck on Wayne Sullivan Drive in Paducah, striking a business. He then fled on foot but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
The pickup truck Campbell was driving was later determined to be stolen out of Tennessee.
Campbell was charged by the Paducah Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and McCracken County Sheriff’s Office with numerous offenses.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office thanked Marshall County E-911, McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, Paducah Police Department, and Mercy Regional EMS for their assistance in the incident.
