McLean Co. inmate escapes during transport; recaptured | Crime

An escaped inmate is back in custody after escaping from custody while being transported to Owensboro.

Kentucky State Police say around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, they received a call for assistance from McLean County Officials regarding an escaped inmate.

A McLean County deputy jailer was in the process of transporting inmates from McLean County District Court in Calhoun back to the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro. While traveling on Keller Road (south of Owensboro) Inmate Danny Benningfield of Owensboro advised the deputy jailer that he was feeling ill and needed to vomit.

As the deputy jailer opened his vehicle door, Benningfield ran from the transport vehicle into an open field. The deputy jailer was unable to give chase as he was transporting multiple inmates.

As multiple agencies were conducting a sweep of the area, Trooper Byron White and Owensboro Police Officer McCarty located Benningfield hiding in an empty hot tub behind a residence on Fisher Road. They arrested him without incident.

It is unclear as to how Benningfield managed to remove his handcuffs prior to the escape; however, the investigation is being conducted by the Kentucky State Police.

Among other things, Benningfield has been charged with fleeing/evading police, escape and criminal mischief.