London, Ky. (January 10, 2018) – On Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at approximately 12:44 AM, two Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers were sitting stationary at the entrance of the I-75 southbound on- ramp at Exit 76 in Berea with their emergency equipment activated. Both officers were assisting in a roadway closure on I-75 due to work zone construction in Rockcastle County.
Both officers observed a motorhome approach their location on US HWY 21 and intentionally run through barriers and construction barrels and entered onto I-75. Officers attempted to stop the motorhome but the operator, later identified as John McCoy, 67, of Chesapeake Ohio, refused to stop and continued traveling southbound at which time all construction workers present in the workzone was immediately notified to evacuate the roadway. Officers conducted a rolling roadblock to bring the motorhome to a stop at which time McCoy intentionally struck a police vehicle and continued traveling southbound towards the KY HWY 1505 overpass which was blocked with heavy construction equipment.
McCoy continued traveling southbound and struck two sky lifts head-on. The motorhome immediately became engulfed in flames. Officers attempted to remove McCoy from the vehicle and extinguish the flames but were quickly overpowered by the flames and were unsuccessful.
McCoy was pronounced dead at the scene by the Rockcastle County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow.
No officers or construction workers were injured during the incident.
Trooper Chris Pruitt is continuing the investigation. He was assisted by Troopers from Post 11, Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Brodhead Fire Department and the Rockcastle County Coroner’s Office.