MAN DIES AFTER POLICE CHASE

SUV Flees During Attempted Drug Sting

One man died after an alleged undercover drug deal with police led
to a chase yesterday.

The incident began about 2 p.m. near West Manslick and Mount Holly
roads when undercover Metro Narcotics officers were attempting to
make a drug buy from three people in a white Chevrolet Suburban,
said Officer Dwight Mitchell, a Louisville Metro Police spokesman.

Metro Narcotics includes officers from metro police and other
agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, Mitchell said.

Two men and a woman were in the Suburban, Mitchell said.

The driver of the Suburban backed up during the transaction,
striking a car and turning to go east on Fairdale Road, Mitchell said.

Two or three unmarked police cars, carrying seven undercover
officers, followed the Suburban, attempting to stop it, Mitchell said.

After the Suburban crossed National Turnpike onto South Park Road,
the vehicle went out of control and flipped several times in the
2200 block of South Park Road.

Two of the occupants were ejected, Mitchell said.

All three occupants were taken to University Hospital, where one man
died, Mitchell said. The other two occupants suffered what appeared
to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim was identified last night as Ray Ware, 28, of the 1900
block of West Chestnut Street. He was pronounced dead at 3:29 p.m.,
Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said. An autopsy will be performed this
morning to determine the cause of death, Wesley said.

The Louisville police public integrity unit and traffic division
were investigating the accident.

None of the officers will be put on administrative leave, Mitchell said.

No charges had been filed.