KSP: Suspect shot by deputy; police car stolen

CENTERTOWN, Ky. (WTVQ) – State Police say an Ohio County Sheriff’s Deputy shot a suspect Thursday outside of Centertown, who then reportedly stole the deputy’s SUV patrol vehicle. Investigators say this all began when Ohio County authorities received a call of a man slumped over a four-wheeler on KY 85 West in Centertown. EMS arrived and woke the man up, who then took off on the four-wheeler. An Ohio County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling the area and noticed the four-wheeler in front of a home with its lights on and still running.

The deputy says the door to the home was open. As he went inside to investigate, the suspect reportedly ran off and got in to the deputy’s vehicle. Investigators say the deputy tried to get the suspect out of the SUV, at which time the suspect reportedly engaged the vehicle with the deputy partially inside. State Police say that’s when the deputy pulled out his gun and shot multiple times to try to stop the suspect, who drove off toward McLean County.

A short time later, a single-vehicle collision involving an Ohio County Sheriff’s SUV was reported on US 431 and Doug Hill Road, south of Livermore, according to KSP. Investigators were told the suspect ran from the crash scene to the other side of the highway and stole a Jeep Cherokee that was parked on US 431. State Police say the Jeep’s driver had stopped to help the suspect.

KSP says officers with the Madisonville Police Department spotted the stolen Jeep on KY 70 (Anton Road) in the limits of Madisonville and a chase began, which led to the Pennyrile Parkway at Exit 42. Investigators say the suspect eventually got off the parkway with the suspect eventually abandoning the Jeep on Grapevine Road and running into a field.

State Police say the suspect was found in a cellar at a home on Hartland Avenue where he was taken into custody. Investigators say the suspect was taken to Baptist Health Madisonville to be treated for a single gunshot wound to his chest, believed to be from his encounter with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Deputy. The suspect was eventually airlifted to St. Mary’s in Evansville, Indiana.

As of this writing, the suspect’s name has not been released and he has not been charged. The investigation continues, according to KSP.