Illinois Man Accused of Striking Iowa Officer with Car
An Illinois man is being held after reportedly attempting to run down an officer with the Bettendorf (IA) Police Department before leading other officers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit.
According to WQAD-TV, the driver—identified as 24-year-old Jonathan Swearingen—was behind the wheel of a 2007 white Dodge Caliber that accelerated quickly away from a traffic stop, striking one of the officers present, according to a statement from a spokeswoman with the City of Bettendorf, Iowa.
Present in the vehicle during the pursuit that ensued were a 31-year-old woman and her 5-year-old daughter.
The officer—whose name has not been released—suffered minor injuries. The officer was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and released, the city spokeswoman said.
Swearingen faces felony charges of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and eluding. He also faces misdemeanor charges of child endangerment, reckless driving.
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