{Louisville, Kentucky}...Forty-three year old Hodgenville Kentucky State Police Officer Mark Taulbee died at the University Hospital in Louisville Sunday morning after he lost control of his cruiser during a police chase, rotated counterclockwise and left the roadway before hitting an embankment and going airborne, ejecting him from the vehicle. Officer Taulbee was taken to Hardin Memorial Hospital. From there he was flown to University Hospital in Louisville. The pursuit began around 3:40 A.M. when Officer Taulbee spotted the vehicle of 29 year old Jason L. Avis of Hodgenville, who was wanted in an alleged domestic dispute. Avis continued driving following the accident but later turned himself in at the LaRue County Jail. He has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and evading police. Additional charges are expected.
