WARFIELD Ky. (WMDJ) — Authorities in Martin County are searching the Tug River in the Warfield area for a missing Johnson County man.

David Blevins Jr., was reported missing on December 19th.

According to the Mountain Citizen Newspaper, officials believe Blevins could be in the river area following an encounter with authorities during a traffic stop on December 13th.

The Martin County Sheriff’s office said Blevins fled his vehicle and ran toward the river. At the time, authorities did not know his identity, which was later linked to an abandoned vehicle after the missing person’s report. Authorites are calling the search efforts as, “very preliminary.”

Anyone with information regarding Blevins’ whereabouts to contact the Martin County Sheriff’s office at (606) 298-2828.