‘Beloved’ Police Dog Killed, Officers Injured When Driver Hits Cruiser

A Kentucky man is going through fees after driving the mistaken method and slamming right into a police patrol car on Saturday morning, killing a “beloved” K9 and injuring two officers, native authorities stated.

The motive force of the 2015 Jeep Patriot that struck the Franklin Police Division (FPD) cruiser was recognized as 21-year-old Michal T. Sims, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, the Ohio State Freeway Patrol (OSHP) stated in an announcement despatched to Newsweek on Saturday night time. Sims faces fees of felonious assault of a police officer and felonious assault of a police canine.

The deadly crash occurred Saturday morning round 10:40 a.m. on South River Road in Franklin, Ohio, a metropolis of almost 12,000 residents in northwest Warren County, in response to OSHP, which is investigating the incident.

Two FPD officers have been on patrol with Fury, their K9 associate, and driving southwest when Sims “started touring the mistaken method on South River Road at a excessive fee of pace” and struck the marked police car with Fury and his handlers inside.

After slamming into the cruiser, the Jeep veered off the highway and hit a tree earlier than coming to a cease, OSHP stated.

Newsweek reached out by way of e-mail and social media on Saturday to the FPD.

OSHP Sergeant Bridget Matt instructed Newsweek in an e-mail that the pace restrict for South River Road is 25 miles per hour and stated the preliminary investigation signifies that Sims was driving at roughly 70 mph earlier than placing the FPD cruiser.

Fury was rushed to a neighborhood veterinarian the place he succumbed to his accidents shortly earlier than 11:40 a.m., OSHP stated. The 2 FPD officers, who haven’t been recognized, suffered minor accidents on account of the crash and have been transported to Kettering Well being Franklin for remedy.

Sims is being handled for minor accidents at Atrium Medical Middle and might be booked into the Warren County Jail on the 2 preliminary felony fees as soon as he is launched from the hospital, OSHP stated.

Troopers famous that further felony fees are potential as OSHP continues to research the crash. Matt instructed Newsweek that impairment is just not believed to be an element.

Franklin police took to Fb to mourn the lack of Fury after the crash, calling the canine officer “beloved” in a submit that included the canine’s picture and badge.

“With a heavy coronary heart the Franklin Police Division has misplaced a beloved member our household,” FPD wrote within the submit, additionally noting that the division is taking the time to “course of the lack of our protector” earlier than releasing any further details about the crash or Fury.

Particulars about Fury, reminiscent of his age and breed, weren’t obtainable as of Saturday night time.