Man sought, Richmond woman arrested following chase by Laurel County deputies

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Richmond woman is facing multiple charges, and a man is sought by law enforcement after he escaped from a chase with deputies from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) on Wednesday afternoon.

Around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook that members of the drug interdiction unit (DIU) tried to pull over a white Honda Accord on KY-909, about 10 miles north of London.

When DIU members tried to walk up to the Accord, the driver, identified as 39-year-old Brandon Lee Woods, allegedly sped away onto the northbound ramp of I-75.

The LCSO wrote that Woods drove at speeds near 110 miles per hour on slick highway roads for about five miles before he went over the shoulder of the road over a slight embankment, at which point he allegedly left the Accord and ran from law enforcement.

Laurel County deputies wrote that state police arrived with a K-9 to help track Woods but were unable to find him.

Court documents show that Taylor Sierra Markwell, 29, a passenger in the Accord, was arrested after the chase and charged with:

• Theft of the identity of another without consent
• First-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense – methamphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Giving an officer false identifying information

She was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

The LCSO wrote that an arrest warrant was issued for Woods for the following charges:

• First-degree fleeing or evading police
• First-degree fleeing or evading police on foot
• Driving over 26 miles per hour over the speed limit
• Reckless driving

Deputies noted that Woods is also wanted on a parole violation warrant.

Anyone with information that could help law enforcement find Woods is asked to call (606) 864–6600 or email g.acciardo@laurelcountysheriff.gov. Information will be kept confidential.