A Kentucky State Police trooper was shot and killed late Sunday night during a high-speed chase along I-24 in Lyon County.
Police were looking for 25-year-old Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks of Missouri.
According to Kentucky State Police, the incident started Sunday evening around 10:20 p.m. when Trooper Ponder stopped a car on Interstate 24 near mile marker 58.
After making contact with the driver, the car sped off.
As Trooper Ponder gave chase, the vehicle suddenly stopped in front of him causing his police cruiser to hit the back of the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect then fired several shots back at the cruiser, hitting the hood of the car, windshield, and Trooper Ponder.
Trooper Ponder was taken to Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton where he died of his injuries.
Keith Todd with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says I-24 between mile markers 45 and 56 are still closed as part of the investigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mALbR4M03c
The road is expected to remain closed until at least Noon.
A detour has been set up.
Agencies/Canadajournal