Trooper shoots man accused of trying to run over officer

Published 4:23 pm Monday, September 17, 2007

JACKSON (AP) — A Jackson man faces charges of aggravated assault against a police officer after police said he tried to run over a Madison County deputy with his car Sunday afternoon on I-55.

Lee Williams, 38, was wounded after being shot at least once by a Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol trooper while in his vehicle at the end of a five-mile pursuit, said MHP spokesman Warren Strain.

Williams, who also faces several moving violations, was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center Sunday night. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

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Around 3 p.m., a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy saw a woman standing outside a vehicle parked in the median of I-55 north near Gluckstadt. Strain said the woman was apparently arguing with a man in the vehicle. As a deputy pulled up next to the car, the vehicle took off. The deputy began chasing the vehicle and a nearby trooper joined the chase.

During the pursuit, the vehicle hit both the troopers and deputy’s cars as they tried to get him to stop, Strain said.

The driver eventually lost control, fishtailed and came to a stop in the median. When the deputy got out of his car to approach the driver, Strain said Williams put his foot on the gas and aimed his car at the deputy.

“The trooper sees this, pulls his weapon out and fires shots at Williams’ car, striking him,” he said

Strain said the trooper who opened fire on Williams did so because he felt Williams was trying to use the car as a weapon.

The woman who was seen arguing with Williams on I-55 was questioned by authorities. Strain said he did not know the relationship between Williams and the woman or why they were arguing.

Williams has a criminal arrest record, Strain said, but he could not provide details.

After Williams is released from the hospital he will be turned over to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Strain said.

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