Josephine County, Ore. – The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a reported trespassing incident at East River Street and Redwood Highway around 3:00 Tuesday afternoon.
According to JSCO, when deputies arrived, they tried to identify a suspicious man wearing a fake beard who was sitting in a white Nissan sedan. The man put the car in reverse, accelerated, and ran over one of the deputy’s feet. The driver, later identified as Mitchell Thornton, fled the scene and backed into a wooded area.
Deputies said they located the Nissan, but Thornton quickly accelerated as they stepped out of their patrol car. One deputy quickly jumped back into the patrol car moments before it was struck by the car driven by Thornton.
JCSO said Thornton fled, eventually ditching his vehicle. He was arrested a short time later.
Thornton was lodged in the Josephine County on numerous charges, including reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, attempted assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Deputies are asking any potential witnesses to call the Josephine County Sheiff’s Office at 541-474-5123 ext. 3.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.