911 call ends in scuffle; arrest of Danville man

Published 12:55 pm Thursday, October 18, 2018

LINCOLN COUNTY — A sheriff’s deputy and an EMT were both kicked in the chest during a scuffle after encountering a DUI suspect in the Moreland area.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Mullins responded to a Bluegrass 911 call that reported a small silver passenger car on the roadway on Jeffries Lane and the operator appearing to be under the influence. Mullins said he responded to the area at about 10:45 p.m. on Oct. 6 and saw the car, a 2000 Toyota Camry, sitting in a driveway with its brake lights on and he initiated a traffic stop.

Mullins found Bennett Ross Williams, 61, of Danville behind the wheel and the engine still running. He said he detected “a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle” and that Williams had “slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.”

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According to Mullins’ report, he advised Williams to turn the vehicle off and asked him for his operator’s license. He then asked Williams if there were any weapons in the car and he stated, ‘‘Yeah, over here,” and reached for the glove box.

The citation said that Mullins gave Williams commands to stop reaching for the glove box but that Williams did not comply. Williams went on to open the glove box and Mullins said he saw a pistol in the glove box and that Williams had a hold of the leather strap that was attached to the gun.

When Williams refused to comply to Mullins’ commands to stop reaching for the glove box and the gun, he proceeded to place Williams under arrest.

“I removed (Williams) from the vehicle and gave commands to (Williams) to place his hands behind his back, he was under arrest,” Mullins wrote on the arrest citation. “(Williams) tensed up. I delivered a closed empty hand to (Williams’) right median arm to gain compliance. (He) was placed into cuffs and remained loud and disorderly.”

As Mullins transported Williams to the patrol car, he said Williams continued to be “combative and disorderly and refused commands to get in the car.”

Lincoln County EMS was called out to check Williams’ condition and, when EMT John Preston was trying to get Williams’ legs back into the vehicle, Williams kicked him in the chest. Before he could be secured in the patrol car, Williams also kicked Mullins in the chest.

At the emergency room, Williams remained loud and combative, according to Mullins, “ripping the pulse ox cable off and kicking the computer.”

Mullins’ report said that Williams was ‘shackled but still was kicking” and stated, “He should put a bullet in my (Mullins’) head.”

Williams was read the implied consent law and refused a blood test. He did admit to drinking “half a pint” of whiskey and two beers.

“I observed two whiskey bottles inside the center console,” Mullins said. He also said a loaded S&W 454 handgun was recovered from the glove box.

Williams was arrested on eight charges: Assault 3rd Degree (EMS, Fire, Rescue Squad), Terroristic Threatening 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence Alcohol/Drugs/Etc., .08 (AGG CIRCUM) 1st Offense, Possession of Open Alcohol Beverage Container in Motor Vehicle, Assault 3rd Degree (Police Officer or Probation Officer) and Possession of handgun by a convicted felon.