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'It was a giant bang': Car crashes into downtown Louisville hotel after police chase

The chase began in Clarksville, continued over the Clark Memorial Bridge, before coming to a screeching halt in Louisville.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Right across from the KFC Yum! Center, there was a car that had struck the side of the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Louisville.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Louisville Metro Police officers responded to a vehicle colliding into the hotel in the 100 block of South 2nd Street, according to an LMPD press release.

The Clarksville Police Department were pursuing the driver, who had allegedly stolen the vehicle. The chase began in Clarksville, continued over the Clark Memorial Bridge, before coming to a screeching halt in Louisville.

Clarksville Police confirmed that they began a chase when they notice that car going more than 90 miles per hour on Browns Station Way.

Police later confirmed that the car was stolen out of Jeffersonville.

Two people under the age of 18 were transported to Norton Children's Hospital; officials expect them to survive.

Credit: Nelson Reyes


That impact woke up residents at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, and drew attention from onlookers throughout the day.

Many commented that it looked like a movie scene.

Laurie Gibson was staying just floors above where the crash happened. She said the impact woke her up.

“Kind of felt like the airplanes going off, but it was a giant bang and it felt like it was right here,” Gibson said. 

Scott Harrington was also staying at the hotel.

"I figured it was like a big trashcan hitting the ground or something,” Harrington said.

He said this will be a story for his friends when he gets home from his weekend trip.

"Went to Louisville and saw a car crash into the hotel. Pretty cool," he said.

Crews were able to tow that car out the building after nearly 15 hours. 

While LMPD wasn't involved in the police pursuit, the department is handling the vehicle collision part of the investigation.

Watch the full raw video here.

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