(MURRAY, Ky.) — The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office made two arrests on April 12, 2026, following a fiery high-speed chase and a drug bust during a warrant service.
Driver Flees Deputies, Crashes, Car Catches Fire
In the early morning hours of April 12, a routine traffic stop turned dangerous when a driver fled from deputies and led them on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash and fire.
At approximately 2:00 a.m., deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Pottertown Road when the vehicle’s driver accelerated and fled the scene. The pursuit reached speeds exceeding 85 mph before the driver lost control of the vehicle, crashing into several trees on Poplar Springs Road.
As deputies worked to assist the driver — identified as Jonathan Gwaltney, 21, of Murray — from the wreckage, the vehicle caught fire. Calloway County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and extinguished the flames.
Gwaltney was transported by ambulance to Murray-Calloway County Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Investigators believe he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Due to his medical condition, Gwaltney was issued citations rather than taken into custody. He faces the following charges:
- Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (Class D Felony)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, 1st Offense
- Traffic-related charges
Man Found with Meth During Warrant Service
Later that same evening, deputies arrested a Murray man on drug charges after locating him while attempting to serve an unrelated arrest warrant.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., deputies went to Kline Trail to serve an arrest warrant when they made contact with James R. Solomon, 63. During the encounter, deputies discovered Solomon was in possession of illicit drugs.
Solomon was arrested on the spot and lodged at the Calloway County Detention Center. He faces the following charges:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense — Methamphetamine (Class D Felony)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone who witnesses unusual or possible criminal activity contact the Sheriff’s Office at 270-753-3151 or by email at ccso.office@callkyso.com.
