A Mecklenburg County Sheriffs deputy was taken to the hospital Friday after a suspect rammed the deputy's motorcycle during an attempted traffic stop.
Deputy Billy Allen, 52, was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center with non-critical injuries after officials said Danny Lehman, 47, of Charlotte, reversed into Allen's motorcycle and pushed him about 10 feet.
The collision happened around 4:30 p.m. on W.T. Harris Boulevard near Albemarle Road, said sheriff's office spokeswoman Julia Rush, after the suspect's vehicle allegedly veered into Allen, nearly striking him.
Allen initiated a traffic stop and it appeared the suspect was stopping, Rush said, when the vehicle reversed and rammed Allen.
Allen then fired three shots and hit the vehicle windows, Rush said, but the suspect drove away from the collision.
North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement officers witnessed the accident, and after a brief chase, found Lehman on Farm Pond Lane near Honeysuckle, Rush said. He was taken into custody by the sheriff's office and to an area hospital for a blood alcohol test.
Officials have yet to say what, if any, charges Lehman will face.
Allen is a 13-year veteran of the sheriff's office and has been a motor officer since 2007, according to Rush.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office of Professional Compliance is conducting an internal investigation to ensure Allen's actions -- which Rush said were the standard procedure in Allen's situation -- were within department policies and procedures.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are handling the accident investigation.
As of Friday evening, Allen was reportedly doing well and was waiting to be released from the hospital. It's likely Allen will return to work as soon as he's able, Rush said.
Copyright 2013 - The Charlotte Observer
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
