Hodgenville police officer's condition improves

A Hodgenville police officer Tuesday afternoon was listed in fair condition and had been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital in Louisville after being struck by a pickup truck Monday morning.
Officer Dennis Wells, 55, was directing traffic near Hodgenville Elementary School when 42-year-old Jimmy Murphy ignored Wells’ signals and struck him with his GMC pickup, police said.
According to the LaRue County Sheriffs’ Office, Wells’ head hit the hood of Murphy’s truck and he suffered another blow before landing about 20 to 30 feet from the point of contact.
He was transported by air from Hodgenville to University Hospital, where he was treated for a broken hip and bleeding on the brain.
Murphy was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, disregarding a traffic signal, not maintaining auto insurance and driving on a suspended license.
If convicted of the assault charge, Murphy could receive as much as 10 to 20 years in prison.