To: All News Agencies

From: Sgt. Kevin Lynn

Date: 09/28/07

Re: Injury Accident on Lane Rd.

A head on collision at 11:56 this morning on Lane Rd. sent a woman and her grandchild to the hospital for apparent minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant and other charges.

The two vehicles collided as they were negotiating a curve from opposite directions. A 1990 Mazda driven by Shandra Nelson, 52, of Paducah was West bound prior to the accident. The 1990 Ford Mustang driven by James Thompson, 27, also of Paducah was East bound from the direction of Pool Rd. prior to the collision. When Deputies arrived they were met by Mr. Thompson and his wife Melinda, 27, also of Paducah. They stated that Mrs. Thompson was driving at the time of the accident and that Mr. Thompson was a passenger in the Mustang. A warrant check on Mr. Thompson revealed that there was an active bench warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and was transported to the McCracken County Regional Jail.

At the hospital Mrs. Nelson was questioned about the accident and she advised the Sheriff's Deputy that Mr. Thompson was the driver and the sole occupant of the other car (Mustang). Mrs. Thompson was at the accident scene in a small pickup that belonged to the couple. They stated to deputies that a friend had taken her home before Deputies arrived and that she returned in the truck. Deputy Brad Wallace was the Deputy that arrested Mr. Thompson on the outstanding warrant. While transporting Mr. Thompson to the jail Deputy Wallace noticed bruising across Mr. Thompsons' left chest that is consistent with that of a seatbelt. This furthered Deputies suspicions that Mr. Thompson was driving at the time of the accident. Based on interviews and evidence both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were charged with falsely reporting an incident. Mr. Thompson was also charged with Driving on a DUI Suspended License 2nd offense and failure to maintain liability insurance.

Driver of 1990 Mazda: Shandra Nelson

52 yrs old of Paducah

Transported to Lourdes Hospital by Mercy Regional EMS

Passenger: Alyssa DeWolf

16 months old of Paducah

Transported to Lourdes by Mercy Regional EMS ( no obvious injuries )

Arrested/

Driver of 1990

Ford Mustang: James J. Thompson

27 yrs old of Paducah

Charges: 1. Driving on a DUI Suspended License 2nd Offense

2. Falsely Reporting an Incident

3. No Liability Insurance

Arrested: Melinda Thompson

27 yrs old of Paducah

Charge: 1. Falsely Reporting an Incident