Inmate Dies After Injury During Altercation With Officer

A southern Kentucky man died of injuries suffered at the Adair County Jail during an encounter with a state trooper, according to a release by Kentucky State Police.

Billy Phillips, 53, of Columbia was arrested June 1 after being stopped on Kentucky 80 in Adair County, near the Adair-Russell County line, for driving under the influence, said Trooper Dwaine Barnett, a public affairs officer.

Phillips suffered a head injury at the Adair County Jail during an altercation with Trooper B.J. Burton and was taken to the Helipad at Westlake Regional Hospital, where he was transferred to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Barnett said in a release.

"The accused lunged at Trooper Burton several times," Barnett said. "During the last altercation, Trooper Burton struck Mr. Phillips," he added. "Phillips then fell into the wall and onto the floor. During the course of the fall, Phillips either struck his head against the wall or the concrete floor," Barnett wrote.

Barnett said Phillips was handcuffed in the front of his body during the altercation at the jail.

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