NKyTribune staff report
Florence Police have arrested Abelino Dozal, of Lexington, in conjunction with the June 2 hit-and-run accident on Interstate 75 that involved a Covington Police K9 cruiser.
Covington Police Officer Michael Lusardi, a K9 Handler for the Covington Police, was operating his police vehicle on I75 S/B when he was struck by another vehicle. The striking vehicle fled the scene headed southbound on the interstate.
Officer Lusardi was treated and released from St. Elizabeth-Florence. His K9 partner, Ernie, escaped injury.
It’s not the first near miss for K9 Officer Ernie. In 2015, Ernie was shot twice by a fleeing suspect, but recovered and returned to active duty.
Florence Police issued the following release regarding the arrest:
On 06/02/16 a hit and run accident occurred on I75 southbound near mile marker 182.
An unknown blue pickup truck crossed over his lane of travel and side swiped a Covington Police K9 cruiser. This caused both vehicles to spin out of control and strike the median wall.
The pickup truck left the scene of the accident heading southbound on I75. The Covington Police officer suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Elizabeth Florence. The K9 was not injured.
The blue pickup truck was located on the same day by a resident of the City of Bellevue, KY. Follow up investigation with the owner of the truck led to the identification of the driver. The owner had allowed a co-worker to use the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation a warrant was issued for: Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Abelino Dozal, 42, of Lexington was arrested and transported to the Boone County Detention Center.