LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- No charges are expected to be filed after a Louisville Metro Police officer was struck and killed on Interstate 64 on Dec. 18.
LMPD First Division officer Zachary Cottongim was hit by a vehicle after police say a driver lost control just after 10 a.m. Saturday morning. He was outside of his police cruiser "conducting an investigation of a vehicle" on I-64 West at Mellwood Avenue, when he was hit.
LMPD spokesman Aaron Ellis said in a statement to WDRB that "as of this time, no charges are expected in this incident."
Cottongim, 29, died at University of Louisville Hospital hours after the crash. He was laid to rest with full honors at the historic Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands on Wednesday.
"The facts of the incident are still being determined by the LMPD Traffic. According to the lead investigator, Ofc. Cottongim had a self-initiated run on a wrecked vehicle from a previous incident at that location the night before," Ellis said in the statement.
Initial reports that the accident was a "hit and run" were corrected by LMPD after the crash. It has not given details about the driver or the circumstances of what happened.
IMAGES | LMPD honors fallen officer Zachary Cottongim
LMPD Chief Erika Shields prepares to present an American flag to the family of Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim, as he is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
A bagpiper plays, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Fellow officers embrace, after Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
A bagpiper plays, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
A bagpiper plays, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
A bugler plays "Taps," as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
LMPD Chief Erika Shields salues, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
LMPD Chief Erka Shields at graveside for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim as he is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Mayor Greg Fischer at graveside, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
An Honor Guard folds an American flag, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
An Honor Guard presents the American Flag, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
The Louisville Police Drum Corp plays, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
LMPD officers at graveside, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Officers and Kentucky National Guardsmen at graveside, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
LMPD officers graveside, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
An LMPD officer salues, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
LMPD officers salute, as Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim is laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
The family of Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim stands outside Southeast Christian Church waiting for his flag-draped casket to be brought out following his funeral. Dec. 22, 2021
The family of Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim stands outside Southeast Christian Church waiting for his flag-draped casket to be brought out following his funeral. Dec. 22, 2021
Louisville Metro Police officers carry Officer Zachary Cottongim from Southeast Christian Church following his funeral. Dec. 22, 2021
A hearse waits outside Southeast Christian Church following the funeral of Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim. Dec. 22, 2021
A horse drawn carriage is prepared for the funeral of Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim to be laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 22, 2021
People pay their respects with a "Thin Blue Line" American Flag, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
An LMPD cruiser in traffic, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
An LMPD cruiser in traffic, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
Police vehicles in traffic, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
Police vehicles pass a Louisville Fire truck in traffic, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
An LMPD officer pays his respects, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
Louisville firefighters pay their respects, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
An American flag flies over the entrance of Cave Hill Cemetery, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to his final resting place. Dec. 21, 2021.
Police vehicles in the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
LMPD officers pay their respects, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
An LMPD officer pays his respects under an American flag, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
A hearse carrying Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
Police and fire vehicles in traffic, as the procession for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim makes its way to Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands. Dec. 21, 2021.
Zachary Cottongim, his wife and their two children. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim and his wife Jamie. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim, his wife and one of their children. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim, his wife and one of their children. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim and his wife Jamie. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim, his wife and their two children. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
Zachary Cottongim, his wife and their two children. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)
LMPD's First Division placed a police SUV in front of its building at 416 North 29th Street as a memorial to Cottongim. The public is invited to stop and pay their respects. Dec. 20, 2021 Image courtesy LMPD on Twitter.
LMPD officer Zachary Cottongim. (Photo courtesy of LMPD)
Cottongim leaves behind his wife, Jamie, and two young sons, Riley and Alexander.
The Louisville Metro Police Foundation set up a fund for the family. As of Thursday morning, it had collected more than $75,000. Click here to make a donation or to find out more.
Related Stories:
- Family and fellow officers attend funeral for LMPD officer killed in I-64 crash
- LMPD honors officer killed in I-64 crash, public visitation held at Southeast Christian
- Former LMPD vet who lost son in line of duty shares grief with Cottongim family
- Funeral arrangements announced for LMPD officer killed in I-64 wreck
- Shields: LMPD officer killed in I-64 crash was 'talented young man'
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