Off-duty KSP trooper dies in motorcycle crash in BG

Bowling Green Daily News

Kentucky State Police Trooper Jonathan Johnson was killed Tuesday morning in a motorcycle crash in Bowling Green.

Johnson, 48, of Bowling Green, was off-duty at the time of the crash, which occurred on Nashville Road at Fortuna Avenue and caused the closure of that stretch of Nashville Road for several hours.

The Warren County Coroner’s Office pronounced Johnson dead at 10:48 a.m.

Johnson was a KSP trooper for nine years, and at the time of his death was a member of KSP Post 2 in Madisonville, where he was assigned to Muhlenberg County.

He had previously been a member of KSP Post 3 in Bowling Green, where he was honored with a post-level Detective of the Year award in 2019.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

“Trooper Johnson served and protected Kentucky’s families through the Kentucky State Police and we are saddened by this loss,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release. “Please join me in praying for the Johnson family and everyone at KSP.”

Capt. Derek Smith of KSP Post 2 said that information regarding funeral arrangements would be released when available.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Trooper Johnson, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash earlier today,” Smith said in a news release. “Our Post 2 personnel appreciate the outpouring of support and pray for the Johnson family as they cope with this devastating loss.”

KSP Post 3 in Bowling Green, which is investigating the crash, released additional details Wednesday.

KSP said that Johnson was traveling south on Nashville Road on a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle near the intersection of Fortuna Avenue.

A 2008 Toyota Camry driven by Zeljka Meskovic, 53, of Bowling Green, was traveling north on Nashville Road in the center turn lane and made a left turn into Johnson’s path.

Johnson was unable to stop or avoid the collision, KSP said.

No other injuries were reported.