Kentucky man arrested after leading troopers, officers in multi-county chase. Suspect hospitalized after allegedly ingesting heroin.

Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement agencies were involved in a multi-county pursuit that resulted in the arrest and hospitalization of a Kentucky man after he allegedly injected an unknown amount of heroin.

Joshua E. Arledge, 31, of Louisville, faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree fleeing and evading, receiving stolen property, and theft by unlawful taking over $10,000.

The incident began at approximately 7:33 p.m. on September 1 when troopers were alerted by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, which was pursuing a stolen Hyundai Elantra on the westbound Bluegrass Parkway. As the chase progressed onto I-65 North near Elizabethtown, KSP was called in to take over.

At the 102-mile marker, the suspect exited I-65, heading north on Joe Prather Parkway toward Radcliff. The pursuit briefly ended on Patriot Lane when Arledge abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers established a perimeter but soon discovered the suspect had taken control of a semi-tractor trailer, initiating a second pursuit.

This chase continued on I-65 North, where troopers successfully deployed stop sticks near the 117-mile marker. The suspect exited the interstate, drove through a nearby business parking lot, and eventually pulled onto East Blue Lick Road in Bullitt County. The pursuit concluded when the semi left the roadway and overturned in a wooded area. Arledge was taken into custody without further incident.

Arledge was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment after allegedly ingesting an unknown quantity of heroin. Following medical observation, he was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

KSP was assisted by Bullitt County EMS, the Nelson, Bullitt, and Hardin County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Elizabethtown, Hillview, and Shepherdsville Police Departments. The investigation is being led by Trooper James Payne.