Police rule suspect's death an accident

        ELIZABETHTOWN — A passenger in a car stopped after a high-speed pursuit with police was killed and an officer injured when the officer's gun accidentally discharged, Kentucky State Police said.

        Harold G. Lee Jr., 29, of Owensboro, was shot in the head by Elizabethtown Police Sgt. William Bland as the officer was attempting to remove the man from the car, state police said.

        Mr. Lee was pronounced dead at the Hardin Memorial Hospital by the county coroner, state police said. Sgt. Bland was treated for a wound to his left thumb, state police said.

        “I know it's very tragic to everybody here,” said Sgt. Steve Pavey, state police spokesman. Sgt. Bland was placed on medical leave.

        Sgt. Bland approached the car with his gun drawn and was attempting to remove Mr. Lee from the car when the weapon fired, Sgt. Pavey said. The bullet struck Sgt. Bland's left thumb and struck Mr. Lee in the right temporal area of his head.

        The driver of the car, Randall Babb, 40, of Owensboro, was arrested after a short foot pursuit and charged with parole violation, wanton endangerment, driving under the influence and fleeing and evading.
       

At least 6 DUI cases thrown out of court

        LOUISVILLE — A Jefferson District Court judge has thrown out the results of a blood-alcohol test in more than a half-dozen cases, saying the warning read to motorists charged with their first drunken-driving offense violates their rights.

        A DUI law that took effect last October requires operators who give blood-alcohol tests to advise a driver if he refuses to take the test and is convicted of drunken driving, that “he will be subject to a mandatory minimum jail sentence which is twice as long as the mandatory minimum jail sentence imposed if he submits to the test.”

        But Chris Meinhart, attorney for Paul Meves, argued there is no mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first DUI offense within a five-year period, as was the case with Mr. Meves. Judge James M. Green agreed and issued the same ruling in at least a half-dozen other cases Tuesday.

        “The implications are devastating,” Assistant County Attorney Matthew Welch said after Mr. Meves' hearing. “It's like giving free rein to drunk drivers.”

        Judge Green ruled that when Mr. Meves, who had been arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, was warned of the legal consequences of refusing to take a blood-alcohol test, it amounted to a “fundamental misrepresentation” of the law.

        Judge Green then threw out the results of the blood-alcohol test, saying Mr. Meves' due-process rights had been violated.
       

Chuck Swain, jockey, racing official, dies

        HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Former jockey and racing official Chuck Swain died Sunday of heart problems. He was 81.

        Mr. Swain rode his first winner at Churchill Downs in April, 1936. During his 20-year jockey career he rode in the Derby in 1943 and 1951.

        He went to work at Oaklawn Park in the 1950s as a valet until 1980, when he was appointed clerk of scales. He held that position through 2000.

        Since 1960, he served in numerous capacities at midwestern tracks, including clerk of scales, placing judge, parole judge, backup steward and jockey room custodian.

        A memorial service will be held today.
       

Tornado hits town of Science Hill

        SOMERSET — A tornado struck a small community just north of here Wednesday, damaging numerous buildings, including a junior high school, and cutting power in areas around the county, emergency services officials said.

        There were no immediate reports of injuries.

        The tornado struck Science Hill, a town about 4 miles north of Somerset, sometime after 2 p.m. and was accompanied by strong winds and hail in other portions of Pulaski County, said Arlene Phelps, spokeswoman for the county emergency services agency.

        Two businesses were damaged and a trailer was heavily damaged, Ms. Phelps said. Northern Middle School, located near Ky. 1247 north of Somerset, sustained major damage, she said.

        Numerous trees and power lines were also downed, causing scattered power outages and blocking roads, she said.

        A shelter has been established at the Pulaski County Courthouse for anyone needing a place to stay.
       

Police identify body in Louisville park

        LOUISVILLE — Police have identified the body of a woman found on the south side of the city's wooded Iroquois Park on Monday.

        The death is being treated as a homicide, police said.

        The woman is identified as Stacy Flowers Dodson, 25, of Glasgow, said police spokeswoman Helene Kramer.

        Her body was found by two people at about 8:30 a.m. close to a horse path leading from the park's riding stables.

        Autopsy results have not been released, police said.

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