Trooper injured in three-vehicle crash in Jefferson County; driver charged

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

VALLEY STATION, Ky., (KBSI) — A Kentucky State Police trooper was injured in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday on Dixie Highway in Jefferson County, authorities said.

The crash occurred near the 15000 block of Dixie Highway, about four miles south of the Gene Snyder Freeway.

Preliminary findings indicate a Mitsubishi Mirage driven by David Huggins, 33, of Louisville, was traveling southbound when it collided with a Ford Ranger driven by Michael Nugent, 69, of Shepherdsville, which was also heading south. The pickup then spun into the northbound lanes.

Trooper Lukas Jones, assigned to KSP Post 4, was traveling northbound in a marked cruiser when his vehicle struck the passenger side of the Ford Ranger.

Authorities said Huggins fled the scene, continuing southbound toward Radcliff. He was later located in Vine Grove and taken into custody.

Huggins is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance, and first-offense DUI with aggravated circumstances.

Jones was taken to Jewish Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Nugent was transported by EMS to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Agencies assisting at the scene included the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department, Louisville Metro Police Department and the Vine Grove Police Department.

The crash remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team.