A man out of Middlesboro was arrested on Wednesday morning after sheriff’s deputies say he led them on a chase and attempted to crash into one of their cruisers.

 

Deputies spotted 38-year-old Joe Leon Bullins, of Middlesboro, traveling along US-25 East.

 

Deputies recognized Bullins as having outstanding warrants and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Bullins, however, sped away from the officers. A chase followed, with Bullins allegedly running a stop sign and attempting to brake-check the deputy.

 

The chase then continued onto KY-188. Bullins is said to have slowed down at this point as the deputy was passing his vehicle. He is said to have swerved towards the cruiser, which nearly ran off of the road.

 

Additional cruisers joined in the chase at this point, with Bullins allegedly running another stop sign as he approached Brownies Creek. It was there that he is said to have brake-checked the deputy again, this time, causing the cruiser to hit his car.

 

Bullins allegedly exited his vehicle at this point and attempted to run away. Deputies tased him, which caused him to attempt to fight the deputies- who tased him again, then arrested him.

 

Bullins was transported to the Bell County Detention Center and charged with the following:

 

Failure to wear a seatbelt, improper license plate display, reckless driving, speeding more than 25mph over the limit, wanton endangerment of a police officer, wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, operating on a suspended license, resisting arrest, 3rd degree assault of a police officer, menacing, 2nd degree criminal mischief, careless driving, license to be in possession, four bench warrants, and a parole violation.

 

His bond has been set at over $43,000.