By Joelyn Hansen
Idaho Falls Post Register
A Shelley police officer fired gunshots at a pickup truck after a Bingham County man allegedly tried to run him over during a DUI stop Monday afternoon.
Shawn Clegg, 48, was arrested for driving under the influence, aggravated assault, battery on an officer, failure to obey an order and felony eluding, Shelley Police Chief Alan Dial said.
According to a police report, an officer stopped at an Exxon gas station convenience store on Highway 91 at about 2:30 p.m. and while at the checkout stand noticed Clegg smelled strongly of alcohol.
The officer followed Clegg out to his truck in the parking lot and attempted to stop him from driving away after he failed sobriety tests. While performing the tests, the officer called for additional police assistance.
Dial said Clegg refused to have someone else drive him and sped away from the parking lot.
As Clegg pulled out of the parking lot, one officer jumped into the bed of the truck, while two other officers chased Clegg’s vehicle north on U.S. Highway 91.
Clegg drove north for one-tenth of a mile before turning east by the Basic American Food plant, Dial said. Clegg stopped after he became penned in between two patrol cars.
An officer got out of his patrol car and started walking toward the truck when Clegg tried to run him over. The officer fired gunshots into the tire of the truck to immobilize it, Dial said.
There were no reported injuries.
Dial did not release the name of the officer, but said the incident is being reviewed by the Idaho Falls Police Department.
Copyright 2010 The Post Register