Hardin Co. juvenile charged with murder after deadly police chase

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A Hardin County juvenile has been charged with murder following a police chase and deadly crash.

Kentucky State Police said troopers responded to the crash at approximately 3:10 Friday morning at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Valley View Drive in Vine Grove.

The preliminary investigation revealed that an Elizabethtown Police Department officer attempted to stop a 2010 Ford Flex for speeding on North Dixie Highway (Hwy 31-W) near Baptist Health Hardin. The Ford failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed, police said.

The pursuit continued on North Dixie Highway before turning onto Joe Prather Parkway where the driver, a 15-year-old male, lost control of the Ford, ending the pursuit.

A 20-year-old passenger, Jamari Whitfield, of Radcliff, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner’s Office.

The juvenile was transported by ambulance to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was later released and lodged in the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center where he was charged with murder.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com