WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — A Tulsa man is facing multiple felony charges after he intentionally struck a volunteer firefighter twice with his vehicle during a structure fire response, then resisted arrest and later assaulted a deputy during transport, according to the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sept. 1 incident began when deputies were dispatched to a reported structure fire and a vehicular assault involving a Tullahassee Volunteer Fire Department firefighter.
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Upon arrival, deputies observed a residence fully engulfed in flames and a gray sedan occupied by a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
Witnesses told deputies that as firefighters arrived and began extinguishing the flames, the man struck one of the volunteer firefighters with his vehicle, knocking them to the ground. The firefighter, undeterred, resumed efforts to put out the fire. The suspect then allegedly circled the residence in his vehicle and hit the firefighter a second time, again knocking them off their feet. He then backed his vehicle into a fire truck where firefighters were taking cover.
Deputies issued multiple commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle, but he refused. Officers broke the driver’s side window and forcibly removed him. The suspect actively resisted, refusing to place his hands behind his back and attempting to keep himself inside the vehicle. He was eventually taken into custody.
A search of the suspect revealed a glass pipe containing a white powdery residue, believed to be a controlled substance.
During transport to the Wagoner County Detention Center, the suspect freed his legs and kicked a deputy in the head, then attempted to manipulate the patrol vehicle’s controls with his feet in an effort to drive the vehicle off the road.
The deputy was able to regain control of the situation. The suspect was restrained with ankle shackles and a belly chain, and was transported without further incident.
The suspect faces the following charges:
- Two counts of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
- Impeding the progress of firefighters
- Obstructing a peace officer
- Resisting arrest
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Driving under the influence (drugs or alcohol)
His bond was set at $100,000.
The Oklahoma State Fire Marshal was contacted and responded to the scene. An investigation into the origin of the structure fire remains ongoing.
