A call regarding a fight in progress led to alleged death threats on the evening of Jan. 5, say police.

According to a report, at 10 p.m. the Middlesboro Police Department received a call of a fight in progress near the area of Gumwood and Blakeman Drive. Officer Edward Dray responded, and once on scene he found Kenneth Wayne Pace, 38, of Harrogate, Tennessee, standing in the roadway.

The police stated that when Pace saw Dray, Pace ran to his vehicle, a red Subaru Coupe, got in and began to quickly drive toward Dray nearly striking the front of the police cruiser.

The citation continued to state that Dray left his vehicle and was met by Pace’s wife, yelling that Kenneth was drunk. Lt. Eddie Myers arrived at the same moment — exited his cruiser and approached Kenneth Pace’s car with his gun drawn and ordered him out of the vehicle. Pace was allegedly non-compliant and accelerated in reverse attempting to leave the scene, nearly missing a tree behind him.

Dray stated that he entered his cruiser to pursue Pace and Pace then accelerated towards Myers allegedly screaming, “I’ll run over you and kill you! Shoot me! Shoot me!” leading officers to believe Pace was attempting to engage in a “suicide by cop” incident. At that point Pace backed up through a neighbor’s yard. Pace’s son then ran toward his father’s car to remove him from the vehicle. Kenneth Pace, when approached by officers, threatened both men and was pepper sprayed. Dray stated that it was evident Kenneth Pace was under the influence, exhibiting general indicators consistent with some type of drug.

Pace was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, first-degree operating a motor vehicle under the influence, third-degree terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, failure to wear seat belts, failure to maintain insurance and second-degree disorderly conduct.

In other police news:

• Roxanne Young, 55, of Tazewell, Tennessee, was arrested on Jan. 8 by MPD Officer Nick Capps on a charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

•Walter Overbay, 51, of Middlesboro, was arrested on Jan. 8 by the MPD on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Stephanie Field, 46, of Middlesboro, was arrested on Jan. 8 by MPD Officer Jordon Hurd on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

•Rocky Baker, 54, of Middlesboro, was arrested on Jan. 8 by Capps on a charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

• Bryan Hall, 44, of New Tazewell, Tennessee, was arrested on Jan. 8 by Pineville Police Department Officer Justin Taylor on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Brian O’Brien of The Big One 103.6 FM WRIL contributed to this article.