On June 6, 2025, at approximately 9:30 PM (EST), the Kentucky State Police (KSP) received information regarding the possible location of a stolen wrecker reported out of Laurel County. The vehicle was located parked near Cumberland Falls.
Park Ranger Jones located the wrecker backed into a parking space and approached the vehicle. Upon making contact, he observed a male driver and a female passenger inside. While attempting to identify the individuals, the male operator fled the scene in the vehicle, ramming and causing significant damage to Park Ranger Jones’s emergency vehicle. A vehicle pursuit was initiated by McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy Ridner. During the pursuit, the suspect attempted to strike Deputy Ridner’s cruiser by putting the wrecker in reverse and accelerating aggressively. The suspect ultimately eluded law enforcement.
The abandoned wrecker was later located in a wooded area. With the assistance of a thermal imaging drone operated by Officer White of the Williamsburg Police Department, Troopers determined both the driver, and the passenger had fled on foot. While looking for the two suspects with the drone they were both located, they had fell from a high cliff.
The thermal drone guided Troopers to the suspects’ location, where both were found at the base of the cliff with serious injuries. Woodbine Fire and Rescue and the Corbin Fire Department conducted a high-angle recovery to safely extract the individuals.
The suspects were identified as Rex Vaughn, age 55, of Mount Vernon, and Thelma Travillian, age 40, of Williamsburg. Illegal drugs were located at the scene and are believed to have been a contributing factor.
Rex Vaughn was charged with:
Charge 1: Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or More
Charge 2: Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle)
Charge 3: Wanton Endangerment-1st Degree-Police Officer
Charge 4: Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
Charge 5: Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
Charge 6: Possession of Controlled Substance, 3rd Degree – Drug Unspecified
Charge 7: Possession of Marijuana
Charge 8: Prescription Controlled Substance Not in Proper Container, 1st Offense
Thelma Travillian was charged with:
Charge 1: Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
Charge 2: Possession of Marijuana
Charge 3: Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess
Both were taken to the Corbin Hospital for their injuries.
The incident remains under investigation by Trooper Kyle Trosper.