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Police pursuit, standoff blocked highway in NKY overnight

Highway blocked police pursuit and standoff
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FORT WRIGHT, Ky. — Lanes on I-71/I-75 in Northern Kentucky were blocked overnight after a person leading police on a chase stopped on the highway, according to dispatchers.

Covington police said they were alerted that Cincinnati police were pursing a driver heading into Covington at around 11:47 p.m. Thursday night. After learning the driver had several felony warrants, Covington police said they joined the chase.

Eventually, the driver, who police said was John C. Lewis of Lexington, Ky., eventually stopped his vehicle on I-71/I-75 south near Kyles Lane, where a standoff began.

Through a drone, Elsmere officers were able to determine Lewis was possibly experiencing an overdose, so Covington officers broke the car's window to remove him and render aid. From there, he was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he is in the ICU but stable, police said.

Lewis was arrested and is facing charges of fleeing and evading, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, wanton endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said Lewis had warrants out for his arrest in Kentucky for felony offenses, including burglary and robbery, and the vehicle he was driving had been reported stolen in Lexington, Ky.

Police pursuit standoff on highway

Hamilton County dispatchers said the chase, which began around midnight Thursday night, started on Reading Road in Norwood.

Police officials have not said why the pursuit began.

The highway was blocked for over an hour during the standoff and traffic was backed up to the 12th Street exit.

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