Hodgenville police officer killed during car chase

Updated: Mon 3:37 AM, Sep 17, 2012

LARUE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A Hodgenville police officer was killed during a high-speed car chase in LaRue County early Sunday.

Mark A. Taulbee was involved in a pursuit and had crashed near the 4600 block of KY 210.

Taulbee was transported to the Hardin Memorial Hospital and later flown to the University of Louisville Hospital where he died of the injuries he sustained in the crash.

We're told Taulbee was driving east KY 210 and was pursuing a silver Nissan Altima.

Taulbee lost control of his cruiser, when it left the roadway, struck an embankment on the driver’s side, went airborne, and came to rest in a ditch facing northwest.

Taulbee was thrown from his cruiser and was treated at the scene. Police say he was wearing a seatbelt.

Police say the suspect, Jason L. Avis, 29, from Hodgenville, kept driving following the crash, but later turned himself in at the LaRue County Jail.

Avis was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment, and fleeing or evading police. Other charges are expected.

Taulbee had been with the Hodgenville Police Department for just over a year.

We're told he had a wife and two children.

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