A Kentucky man crashed a stolen truck into an unmarked police vehicle and attempted to flee on foot while in possession of illegal narcotics, police said.
On Thursday in Louisville, Benjamin Schildknecht, 40, allegedly ran a stop sign and struck the driver’s side of an unmarked Louisville Metro Police officer’s vehicle. The crash occurred at the intersection of Dixie Highway and McCloskey Avenue, according to WHAS 11.
The LMPD officer was patrolling a Sustained Focus Improvement area when Schildknecht hit his vehicle. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles and sent the officer to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Schildknecht attempted to flee on foot but was caught nearby. While detaining him, police found methamphetamine and heroin in his possession. Schildknecht admitted he had used meth about 30 minutes before the crash.
During the investigation, officers determined the truck Schildknecht was driving was stolen and that he did not have a valid license due to multiple prior driving offenses, including driving under the influence.
Schildknecht was arrested and charged with the following, according to WHAS 11:
- Wanton endangerment (first degree)
- Assaulting a police officer (second degree)
- Fleeing or evading police on foot (second degree)
- Leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid
- Buying or possessing drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second offense (first degree)
- Failure to maintain required insurance, second offense
- Receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000
[Feature Photo: Benjamin Schildknecht via LMPD]
