A high speed pursuit that began on Interstate 69 in Henderson County Thursday night ended in Madisonville with the arrests of two people, including one man for attempted murder of a state trooper.
Kentucky State Police were notified by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department that they were pursuing a southbound van a few minutes after 7 p.m. and a news release says spike strips were set up near the 120 mile-marker.
Police say when the driver, identified as 21-year old Mark Poenitski of Evansville, saw the spike strips that he attempted to strike Trooper Brian Graves with his car. Trooper Graves was able to dive out of the way to avoid injury.
The car exited the interstate into the city limits of Madisonville, where Madisonville Police officers arrested Poenitski and his passenger, 28-year old Allie Bartlett of Evansville.
Both were charged with fleeing or evading police and Poenitski is charged with attempted murder of a police officer, wanton endangerment, speeding, reckless driving and other counts.