COVINGTON, Ky. — A 38-year-old man has been arrested after he climbed under the Brent Spence Bridge following a police pursuit, shutting down the bridge for several hours.
Covington police said officers received information that a car connected to a burglary suspect was heading northbound on I-75 near I-275. Officers tried to stop the car, but the suspect fled from the scene.
Police said the suspect lost control of their car, crashing into two other vehicles on the northbound deck of the Brent Spence Bridge at around 4:45 p.m Monday. The man got out of his car, climbed over the side of the bridge and hid in the support beams underneath for several hours.
WATCH: Video of the suspect running from police and hiding in the bridge's support beams
The northbound lanes were shut down for almost four hours as police searched for the suspect. Cincinnati and Erlanger police assisted in the search, as well as the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Eventually, the southbound lanes were also closed as officials were able to secure the suspect and work on getting him down.
Police said they used drones and rescue boats to locate the suspect, who eventually surrendered and was taken into custody by Covington police.
Carter Kauffman was one of the many who was stuck in the backup caused by the search and closure. Kauffman was on his way home from work when he hit traffic just before the first northbound Exit 194.
“It’s about to be the fourth hour ... I left work at 4:30 p.m. and it’s almost 7:50 p.m., so yeah, it’s been pretty rough,” said Kauffman. “It’s usually like a 30-minute drive, 40 minutes with traffic.”
Kauffman said within the span of 2 hours he moved only about 1,000 feet. He was finally able to get moving after around 8 p.m., when all lanes were reopened.
The suspect, identified as Joshua D. Baker of Cincinnati, was taken to St. Elizabeth Covington before he was taken to the Kenton County Jail.
He is charged with first-degree fleeing, third-degree fleeing, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, carjacking and driving on a suspended license. Police said Baker had four outstanding warrants at the time of the pursuit.
Baker appeared in court Tuesday morning. His bond was set at $100,000 cash only. Baker is set to appear in court again on Feb. 5.
Police said a woman in the passenger seat of the car was taken to St. Elizabeth Covington by ambulance for minor injuries. The drivers of the other two cars were fine, police said.
Watch Live:
