Steven Gatten/Hopkins County Jail mugshot
An attempted traffic stop in Madisonville Thursday night led to a pursuit and ended with the driver arrested on charges including DUI and fleeing from police.
According to Madisonville Police, an officer saw a vehicle suddenly accelerate on Island Ford Road near North Main Street shortly after 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Police said when the officer activated his emergency lights, the driver, later identified as 55-year-old Steven Gatten of Madisonville, fled, turning onto Pride Avenue and into the parking lot of Calhoun Meats, which was closed at the time. Authorities report Gatten entered a gated area but lost control on the gravel. Police said when Gatten realized he had no way out, he stopped the car and turned off the engine.
When officers removed Gatten from the vehicle, they said he smelled of alcohol and admitted to drinking a couple of beers, claiming that he was not impaired. Police say they later found a cold, open beer near the scene, and Gatten admitted it belonged to him.
He was taken into custody and charged with reckless driving, first-degree fleeing or evading police, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, and tampering with physical evidence. He was lodged in the Hopkins County Jail.
