Man facing multiple charges in Marion County, strikes deputy with vehicle

MARION COUNTY, MS. - A man in Marion County is facing multiple charges after a safety checkpoint lead to a pursuit early Wednesday morning.

Deputies conducted a safety checkpoint on the intersection of Highway 586 and Highway 587 in the Foxworth community.

Authorities stopped Stephen Kitchens, 32, and began to investigate after Kitchens could not produce a driver license.

"After a short interview process, deputies asked the driver to step out of the vehicle. The driver refused and fled from the checkpoint, resulting in a vehicle pursuit" said Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall in a press release.

Hall said the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Highway 98 West and Highway 35 South. Deputies began to attempt to take the suspect in custody.

"Again, refusing to exit the vehicle, a physical altercation began and the suspect was tazed" said Sheriff Hall.

According to authorities Kitchens was armed with a knife. Sheriff Hall said, "And unphased by deputies' attempts in apprehending him, struck a deputy with his vehicle as he attempted to flee again from officers."

"Because of the threat to life, a deputy fired shots to attempt to neutralize the threat, striking the suspect in the leg" Sheriff Hall said.

After the shots were fired, the suspect again fled in his vehicle traveling West in the East bound lane of Highway 98 for several miles until he lost control near the intersection of Highway 98 West and Firetower Cutoff.

Sheriff Hall said, "There, he was finally able to be apprehended." The deputy received medical treatment for his leg and was released a short time later.

Kitchens was transferred to Forrest General Hospital and is receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

He is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Fleeing, Disorderly Conduct/Failure to Comply, Providing False Information to Law Enforcement, No Driver's License, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

According to Sheriff Hall Kitchens could face additional charges.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations is handing the investigation.