A man is charged with attempted murder after a traffic stop led to a low-speed pursuit through Covington Monday night, Covington police said in a release.
Police said they attempted to pull over 44-year-old Donnie Applegate for a traffic violation when he refused to stop and led officers on a low-speed pursuit.
“He attempted to flee up the floodwall at the dead end of East 20th Street near Glenway Avenue but was unable to get over the floodwall,” the release said.
Then, police said, an officer exited his cruiser and attempted to order Applegate out of his car. Applegate then put the car in reverse and “attempted to strike the officer with his car,” police said, but missed and instead hit the officers car, causing moderate damage.
“Mr. Applegate is a one-man crime wave,” said Rob Sanders, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney. “We’re lucky he didn’t hurt a police officer or anyone else. We’ll make sure to take him off the streets for a good long time so we don’t have to worry about him again.”
No one was injured.
“When his vehicle wouldn’t go over the crest of the flood wall, he then put the vehicle in reverse and drove at one of the police officers, nearly striking him,” Sanders said. “The police officer was fortunately able to get out of the way, but then Mr. Applegate crashed into the officer’s cruiser, totaling the cruiser.”
In addition to attempted murder of a police officer, Applegate was also charged with fleeing in the first degree and criminal mischief in the first degree.
Sanders said the charges Applegate faces carry 10-20 years in prison for attempting to strike the officer with his vehicle, another 1-5 years for the damage he caused to the vehicle and 1-5 years for fleeing police.
“All of that will be enhanced because Mr. Applegate is eligible as a persistent felony offender,” Sanders said. “We intend to pursue those charges to enhance his sentencing. He’ll look at the rest of his life in prison before we’re all done.”
Sanders detailed a lengthy criminal history for Applegate in Boone, Kenton and Campbell County. He said Applegate now has four pending felony cases with Kenton County. Prior to Monday’s pursuit, Sanders said Applegate led police on a pursuit while he was allegedly high on methamphetamine.
