Louisville Woman Charged With DUI After Crashing Into LMPD Cruiser Near Kentucky Expo Center
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville woman is facing a long list of charges after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing into a Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) cruiser near the Kentucky Exposition Center on Sunday night.
Authorities identified the driver as Bernita Bennett, 63, who was arrested and charged with:
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol
- Possession of an open alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle
- Improperly turning/driving lane or entering limited access
- First-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer
- First-degree criminal mischief
How the Crash Happened
According to court records, an LMPD officer working traffic at Gate 2 of the Expo Center on Crittenden Drive around 11 p.m. on September 14 saw Bennett driving in the center turn lane as if it were a driving lane.
The officer reported that Bennett’s vehicle collided with the front of a marked LMPD cruiser, which was parked in a way that shielded another officer.
Bennett’s Condition at the Scene
Police said Bennett did not respond to repeated commands to place her vehicle in park or shut off the engine. Officers eventually had to pull her from the car to turn it off themselves.
Once removed, Bennett collapsed to the ground and told officers she could not breathe. EMS was called to the scene, but Bennett refused to be transported to the hospital.
The citation stated that Bennett had bloodshot, glossy eyes, smelled strongly of alcohol, and was found with several unopened miniature bottles of liquor inside her car, along with a styrofoam cup containing liquid that smelled of alcohol.
When questioned, Bennett admitted to drinking “a couple shots of gin and two beers.”
Court Proceedings
Bennett was arraigned on Tuesday, September 16, where a judge set her cash bond at $1,500. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Her next court date is scheduled for September 24.
The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by impaired drivers, particularly when officers are working large-scale events like those at the Kentucky Expo Center. For more updates on local crime and public safety news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.