Off-duty Ky. state trooper stops man choking woman on I-64

An off-duty Kentucky State trooper stopped a man from choking his ex-girlfriend in a roadside attack Monday afternoon along Interstate 64.

Hazard Trooper Jeffrey McWhorter was driving home from training in Frankfort when he saw Travis Phillips, 40, of Frankfort trying to pull his ex-girlfriend out the passenger side door of an SUV, according to state police. The SUV was on the shoulder of I-64 two miles west of the Midway exit about 4:30 p.m.

McWhorter saw Phillips get on top of the woman and start to choke her before turning to the approaching trooper. Phillips was holding a knife, police said.

Police said McWhorter was unable to get Phillips to drop the knife, so he used a Taser.

Phillips and his passenger were both injured when an emergency medical team arrived.

Phillips, who was charged with fourth-degree assault, terroristic threatening and resisting arrest, was taken to a hospital for a self-inflicted knife wound, police said. Public Affairs Officer Bernis Napier said Phillips was cut before the Taser was used, He remained in the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

The woman was treated at the scene.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Off-duty Ky. state trooper stops man choking woman on I-64."