SUSPECT WAS A CONVICTED FELON WITH VIOLENT CRIMINAL HISTORY
APRIL 15, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
A Fayette County, Kentucky man was arrested after a traffic stop Tuesday night by a Lexington Police officer ended up with that led to the officer getting very seriously injured by the suspect.
According to the official press release by the Lexington Police Department, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at around 10:43 P.M., Officer Kevin Van Wert conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for moving violations at the Meijer Gas Station on Ruccio Way. As he made contact with the vehicle, the driver accelerated, dragging Officer Van Wert into a light pole and throwing him to the ground.
The driver then fled the scene at a high rate of speed, and after a brief pursuit, officers were able to detain the driver.
Naqeeb Hadid Mufallah, age 31, was arrested and charged with Assault 1st (Police Officer), Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree (Police Officer), Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Handgun by Convicted Felon, Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident/Failure to Render Aid/Assist with Death or Serious Physical Injury, as well as, unrelated warrants.
Mr. Mufallah is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center. Officer Kevin Van Wert was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition with very serious injuries.
Officer Kevin Van Wert is 29 years old and has been with the Lexington Police Department since August of 2024. He graduated from the Training Academy in March of 2025.
The press release stated that everyone at the Lexington Police Department was thinking of Officer Van Wert and was keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
In accordance with Lexington Police Department policies, the officers had their issued body-worn cameras (BWC) activated.
The investigation is still ongoing and being conducted by the Lexington Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit.
According to the Lexington P.D., every day, their officers show up to work and risk their lives to protect and serve our community. And they do it with courage and integrity, not knowing what each shift will bring. We want to thank each of them for showing up to set the standard.
The Lexington Police Department gave thanks to their partners at the Lexington Fire Department, the Lexington Division of E-911, the University of Kentucky Police Department, our LFUCG Public Safety Family, and the staff at the University of Kentucky Medical Center for their assistance and everything they have done to help Officer Van Wert.
MAN ACCUSED OF HITTING THE LEXINGTON POLICE OFFICER HAS HISTORY OF ASSAULT CHARGES
Officers arrested Naqeeb Mufallah following the violent traffic stop outside the Meijer gas station on Ruccio Way in the incident that happened overnight.
Mr. Mufallah has active cases out of Lexington, Jessamine County and Franklin County. Kentucky, as court records show more than a dozen cases in the last 12 years, and he a recent assault conviction
The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to assault domestic violence charges in Lexington. He was sentenced in May of last year and put on probation for two years.
Mr. Mufallah was charged with assault and domestic violence in Jessamine County nine years earlier.
In July 2017, he was indicted for assault on police or probation officer for a case a month earlier.
Part of his supervised probation from last year’s assault charge includes no further violations of the law and undergoing treatment in a batterers intervention program.
