New video obtained by WAVE shows Kentucky State Police lieutenant striking motorcyclist with cruiser days before retirement

A newly obtained video reported by WAVE depicts a Kentucky State Police lieutenant striking a motorcyclist with a cruiser after what the report describes as a chase. The footage, published Aug. 18, shows an encounter in which the officer’s vehicle appears to make contact with the motorcycle, raising questions about what occurred during the stop and how the incident was handled.

WAVE’s report says the lieutenant hit the motorcyclist with his cruiser and that the incident occurred days before the lieutenant’s retirement. The report presents the video as new evidence in the matter and identifies the event through the agency role and timing described in connection with the officer’s retirement.

Kentucky State Police have not been quoted in the WAVE report text provided in the discovery package. As a result, details on the chase route, the reason the motorcyclist was pursued, the circumstances immediately leading up to the contact, and the department’s internal findings are not included here.

The publication of the video places the incident into the public record during a period when questions about use of force and officer conduct are commonly raised through court filings, disciplinary processes, and public oversight. In traffic and patrol encounters, state agencies are generally expected to document events, preserve video and other evidence, and ensure any alleged misconduct is reviewed through applicable administrative and legal channels.

If the incident results in formal disciplinary action, a criminal complaint, or civil litigation, the relevant process would typically involve agency review and, where applicable, prosecutor or court determinations. Whether the officer’s retirement affects any of those potential next steps depends on the posture of the case and any separate investigation that may be underway, according to the governing personnel and legal frameworks.

For public safety, the incident also underscores the risks created when high-speed pursuits and close-quarters vehicle contact occur. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable in crashes involving patrol vehicles, and events like this can raise concerns for traffic safety, eyewitness accounts, and the availability and integrity of recordings.

WAVE’s video-driven reporting is likely to prompt additional requests for records and clarification from the state police about the department’s review process, including what evidence was preserved, what guidance officers received, and how the department assesses compliance with use-of-force expectations during stops and pursuits.