Update: KSP investigating officer-involved shooting of suspect in stolen pickup

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Sunday, May 10, 2015, 3:30 p.m. — A 24-year-old man driving a stolen pickup truck was shot and seriously wounded by a police Sunday morning after the man rammed two police cruisers while fleeing from a traffic stop on Parkway Drive at about 9 a.m.

A suspect known to police was observed driving a 2014 red Chevrolet Duramax Diesel 4-door pickup truck on Springfield Road near Parkway Baptist Church. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the suspect turned onto Parkway Drive and fled. While the officer pursued the suspect, the suspect made obscene gestures and jammed on his brakes in an attempt to force the officer to ram the truck from behind. The suspect then rammed the police cruiser with the truck, disabling the cruiser. The officer fired his weapon at the suspect who then fled north on Parkway Drive.

The suspect also rammed a second officer’s cruiser on Parkway Drive near the Flower Foods bakery. The second officer reported shots were being fired and that the suspect had been shot.

The suspect was taken to Flaget Memorial Hospital with at least one gunshot wound to the chest. He was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital where his condition remains unknown.

The Bardstown Fire Department was called after the first officer’s police cruiser caught fire after being rammed by the suspect. Attempts to extinguish the fire were complicated by the rounds of ammunition exploding in the cruiser as it burned.

Parkway Drive was shut down while police investigate the incident. Detectives from the Kentucky State Police and the local police agencies are still on the scene.

Three officers were transported by EMS to Flaget Memorial Hospital to be checked out for various bumps and bruises following the incident.

The pickup truck was believed stolen from the Franklin Family dealership in Bardstown.

The Kentucky State Police is investigating the shooting, and will take part in a joint press conference at 10 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2015, with the Bardstown Police Department and Nelson County Sheriff’s Office. According to the KSP press release, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with each department’s policies and procedures.

The Nelson County Gazette will be reporting live via Twitter and Facebook from the press conference.

-30-