Tennessee man faces charges after striking deputy sheriff at MS. welcome center www.privateofficer.com

HANCOCK COUNTY, MS April 11 2012

A Tennessee man faces felony charges in Hancock County after officials say he hit a deputy with his car Saturday night.

Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam said Deputy Lavern Lott was patrolling the Mississippi Welcome Center around 8pm when he spotted a drunk woman walk to the commercial area of the rest stop, and get into a car with two men.

The deputy pulled up to the car and asked the trio to step out of the car. That’s when the driver, Jason Cook, 36, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, suddenly threw the car in reverse, hit the gas, and struck Deputy Lott in the side.

The man in the front seat then opened the door to get out, but Cook made a quick u-turn, throwing the man from the car. Cook took off, leaving his passenger on the ground.

The man wasn’t seriously injured, but was taken by ambulance to Hancock Medical Center for treatment. Before deputies could talk to him, he left the hospital.

Meanwhile, another deputy spotted Cook’s car at Gators’ on Highway 603. When he approached the car, Cook ran off into the woods. He was captured a short time later with help from a K-9 unit.

Jason Cook is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident public drunkenness, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Cook’s bond was set at $12,500. He was set to make an initial court hearing in Hancock County Justice Court Tuesday.

The woman in the case was arrested at Gator’s after Cook ran in the woods. Dominique Godwin, 33, of Eight Mile, Alabama, is charged with public drunkenness and leaving the scene of an accident.

The third person who fled from the hospital has not been identified. Investigators said more charges could be filed in the case.

Source: WLOX