LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- A Louisville police officer finds himself behind bars after an altercation at a local bar -- but it's what allegedly happened when he drove away that really landed him in trouble.
Court documents say Officer Joseph Pence hit Jason Taylor with his car after driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident happened in front of the Turtle Creek apartments off Goldsmith lane.
Officer Pence was arrested and charged with DUI, assault, and wanton endangerment. The victim complained of pain in his right ribcage and hip.
Police tell WDRB the fallout between Pence and Taylor actually started about two miles away at the Golden Nugget Bar early Sunday morning.
Monday afternoon, staff inside didn't know about the 32-year-old officer's arrest or what led up to it. Court records say Taylor and Pence also had an altercation near the corner of Bardstown Road and Bashford Manor.
The arresting officer wrote in his citation that Pence smelled strongly of alcohol, had glassy eyes, slurred speech, and that his girlfriend stated he had been drinking.
LMPD won't comment on camera about the issue, but said in a release that Pence was off-duty and in his personal car when the incident happened.
The department has launched a full public integrity investigation and Pence will be on desk duty until it's complete.
Pence has been on the police force for three years and is assigned to the 2nd Division.
He is the fourth LMPD officer currently on leave and being investigated by the police department.
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