An Indiana man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder of a police officer, after a pursuit in Hopkins County Thursday evening.
Kentucky State Police say they received a call from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office after 7:00 p.m. notifying them of a pursuit involving a van traveling southbound on Interstate 69 coming into the Post 2 Madisonville district.
Two state troopers set up a spike strip at the 120 mile marker and when the vehicle approached the area, police say the driver of the van attempted to hit one of the troopers who was standing outside of his police cruiser near the spike strip. The trooper was able to dive out of the path of the vehicle without being hit.
State police say the van continued southbound and entered Madisonville where city police were notified by residents that two subjects were attempting to use a phone and advised they were running from authorities. Police responded to the area and after a short foot pursuit with the suspects, they were apprehended.
KSP charged 21-year old Mark Poenitski of Coulterville, Illinois with 2nd Degree Wanton Endangerment, Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, 1st Degree Fleeing and Evading Police in a Motor Vehicle, and other traffic-related offenses. Madisonville Police report the passenger in the van, 28-year old Allie Bartlett of Evansville, Indiana was charged with 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police on Foot.
