A Russell Springs man was arrested Sunday night after leading a Russell County Sheriff’s deputy on a chase through Russell and Casey counties, according to the Kentucky State Police.

Phillip L. Owens, 51, was arrested by Trooper John Barnett just after 6 p.m. two miles east of Liberty on Hwy 80, according to a report by KSP trooper Bill Gregory.

Owens was charged with reckless driving, fleeing or evading police 1st/ motor vehicle, wanton endangerment 1st, DUI 3rd, failure to produce an insurance card and possession of an alcoholic beverage container in vehicle.

Russell County Deputy Sheriff Tim Pierce said he received a DUI complaint about a Chevrolet S-10 in the Salem community near Dutton’s Shoe Store on Ky. 910 that evening from an off-duty Casey County Deputy in his personal vehicle.

Pierce said he caught up with the vehicle near the Russell-Casey line in the Windsor community as it was driving at speeds up to 35 miles per hour and driving very erratic, swaying from side to side.

“Due to the way he was driving I knew there was the potential of a bad, bad wreck,” Pierce said.

Pierce said he turned on his emergency blue lights and siren but Owens refused to pull over.

Owens continued into Casey County driving in the center of the road, forcing at least two oncoming drivers to pull off the roadway, Pierce said.

One vehicle which had gotten off the roadway as far as possible was still clipped in the rear quarter by Owens. The Owens’ vehicle then went through a fence and into a field, according to Pierce.

No one was injured in the incident, however, KSP Trooper John Barnett took Owens into custody at that time.

Owens was taken to the Casey County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

“I was just there to give mutual aid,” Pierce said, who pursued Owens into Casey County until Barnett could arrive.