A Kentucky man is facing charges after driving the wrong way and crashing into a police patrol vehicle, killing a K9 and injuring two officers. The driver, Michal T. Sims, faces charges of assaulting a police officer and police dog. The incident occurred in Franklin, Ohio. Maura Zurick reported
A tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning in Franklin, Ohio, when a Kentucky man, Michal T. Sims, drove his 2015 Jeep Patriot the wrong way and crashed into a police patrol vehicle. The collision resulted in the death of a beloved K9 named Fury and left two officers injured. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
The fatal crash took place around 10:40 a.m. on South River Street in Franklin, a city with a population of nearly 12,000 residents. The two officers from the Franklin Police Division (FPD) were on patrol with their K9 partner, Fury, driving southwest when Sims suddenly started traveling in the wrong direction at a high speed. He collided with the marked police vehicle, which had Fury and the officers inside. After crashing into the cruiser, the Jeep veered off the road and struck a tree before coming to a stop.
Tragically, Fury did not survive his injuries and was rushed to a local veterinarian, where he passed away shortly before 11:40 a.m. The two FPD officers, whose identities have not been disclosed, sustained minor injuries and were transported to Kettering Health Franklin for medical treatment.
Sims, who is 21 years old and from Nicholasville, Kentucky, is being treated for minor injuries at Atrium Medical Center. Once he is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Warren County Jail on charges of felonious assault of a police officer and felonious assault of a police dog. The OSHP has stated that additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses. It is currently unclear how fast Sims was driving at the time of the crash or whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
The Franklin Police Division expressed their grief over the loss of Fury on Facebook, describing him as a beloved member of their family. They also mentioned that they are taking time to process the loss before providing further details about the crash or Fury. Unfortunately, specific information about Fury’s age and breed is not available at this time.
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the risks that police officers and their K9 partners face while on duty. The loss of Fury has undoubtedly had a profound impact on the Franklin Police Division and the community as a whole. The investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol will hopefully provide answers and closure for everyone involved..