On Sunday, at around 9:30 a.m., a Jefferson City Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for excessive speed and failing to stop at a stop sign. The driver did not stop for the officer until three blocks later, in the 1200 block of East Dunklin Street. When the officer approached, the suspect sped off, and the officer initiated a pursuit.
The vehicle pursuit continued on Dunklin through a number of red lights, then on to Missouri Boulevard, Highway 50 West, then the ramp to Highway 54 East, towards Fulton. Two other Jefferson City Police Department vehicles joined the pursuit. During that pursuit, the suspect veered towards other responding law enforcement personnel, and almost struck civilian vehicles as he passed by them.
The Callaway County Sheriff's Department deployed spike strips in an attempt to stop the suspect, and the suspect did run over the strips, disabling a tire. The suspect, however, continued to drive, eventually losing the initial tire that was blown and a second tire as well. Once the vehicle was disabled, the suspect failed to cooperate with responding officers and would not comply with their commands. Officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, but the suspect fought the officers, resulting in an injury to one Jefferson City Police Department officer.
After the suspect was in custody, he was transported to the Cole County Jail on numerous traffic charges, including Driving While Intoxicated, and two counts of Felonious Resisting Arrest and two counts of Felonious Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
The suspect is identified as Charles E. Jackson, 37, of Jefferson City.
The officer injured was taken to an area hospital to determine the extent of his injuries, which are not life threatening.