EAST BERNSTADT, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2026) – A 40-year-old man died Monday evening following an altercation with a Kentucky State Police trooper during a traffic stop along Interstate 75 in Laurel County.
According to Kentucky State Police, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, near mile marker 46 on I-75 South in the East Bernstadt community.
Preliminary information indicates a trooper initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tommy Velasco, 40, of Jeffersonville, Kentucky. During the stop, Velasco exited the vehicle and was administered field sobriety tests.
KSP reports that after exhibiting signs of impairment, Velasco ran from the scene on foot as the trooper attempted to take him into custody.
The trooper pursued Velasco and deployed a Taser, which officials say had limited effectiveness. A physical altercation followed, during which the trooper discharged an agency-issued firearm, striking Velasco. He later died as a result of the shooting.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was requested by KSP Post 11 in London to lead the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. KSP says additional details will not be released until investigators have interviewed key witnesses and gathered relevant evidence to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Kentucky State Police has statewide jurisdiction to investigate officer-involved shootings at the request of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
WBONTV will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
