A Kentucky State Trooper was forced to shoot a suspect last night after a pursuit which began in Christian and ended in Todd County.

A news release from State Police says Trooper James McArthur was called to the Champion Road area around 7:40 last night to the report of a suspicious vehicle. When he arrived, he located the vehicle on Beeker Road and turned on his blue lights.

The suspect fled the scene to Rosetown Road, where he reportedly rammed Trooper McArthur’s cruiser. The vehicle then stopped and the trooper got out of his cruiser.

That’s when the suspect allegedly sped toward Trooper McArthur in an apparent attempt to run him over. State Police say Trooper McArthur had no choice but to use his gun to defend himself by shooting the suspect.

The suspect, while injured, continued from Rosetown onto 68-80 into Todd County. He turned onto Morton Lane and then onto Arthur Henderson Road in Todd County, before finally being stopped by police.

An ambulance was called to the scene to take the suspect to Jennie Stuart Medical Center and then a helicopter took him to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

The name of the suspect has not been released, pending family notification.

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12/04/2011/am