Johnson County, KY — A Kentucky State Police Trooper was dragged approximately 75 feet by a vehicle in Johnson County. Troopers had stopped one vehicle near the intersection of KY 1559 and Puncheon Creek when another vehicle pulled up. As one Trooper approached that vehicle, he recognized the driver, 39-year-old Phillip Burgin of West Van Lear, who was wanted on active arrest warrants. According to the arrest citation, as Burgin began to back his vehicle up, the Trooper reached in the driver’s side window attempting to turn the ignition off. Burgin the accelerated dragging the Trooper and wedging the Trooper between the vehicle and a hillside. The Trooper managed to free himself as Burgin began to speed away in reverse going over a small embankment. Burgin exited his vehicle and ran from the Trooper. The Trooper used his taser with no effect. Both the Trooper and Burgin began scuffling in a creek before another Trooper assisted in handcuffing Burgin. Burgin and the Trooper were treated for minor injuries at Paul B. Hall Medical Center. Burgin was charged with 3rd degree assault on a police officer, 1st degree fleeing or evading police in a vehicle, 2nd degree fleeing or evading police on foot, 2nd degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, operating a vehicle while impaired and other traffic violations and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Phillip Burgin