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Driver crashes head-on into Fairfield Police squad car
Officer treated and released from hospital
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FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield man is charged with intentionally crashing his car head-on into an occupied patrol car, resulting in the officer being transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
John Michael Spanton, age 52 of Fairfield, was charged with two counts of Assault on a Peace Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, along with Eluding, Criminal Mischief First Degree, and various other traffic related offenses. The man of the officer injured in the collision has not been released, though a report from the Fairfield Police Department said it was a sergeant and that the sergeant was treated for their injuries at the Jefferson County Health Center and released.
The news release from the department states the events began at about 6:39 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13 when a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle driving over 100 miles per hour north on Highway near 185th Avenue. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver reversed course and fled southbound on Highway 1 toward Fairfield.
“The pursuit continued south until the driver abruptly halted the vehicle on the highway, resulting in a collision between the deputy’s patrol car and the rear of the fleeing vehicle,” stated the news release.
After this first collision, the driver continued fleeing south on Highway 1 into Fairfield. Officers from the Fairfield Police Department joined in the pursuit.
A Fairfield Police Department sergeant, with emergency lights activated, turned north onto Highway 1 from Merrill Avenue, just south of Maharishi School and north of the former Lincoln School.
“In what appeared to be an intentional maneuver, the fleeing driver crossed the centerline and collided head-on with the sergeant’s patrol car at an estimated speed of 40-50 mph,” stated the news release.
Upon this second collision, officers apprehended the driver, John Michael Spanton.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
