Suspect flees from police, then crashes into squad car

A West Frankfort man suspected of stealing an all-terrain vehicle led police on a chase in the early morning of Sept. 11, which ended when he collided with a West Frankfort police car on Dorris Road, near Garrett's Prairie Road.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Jeffrey D. Gunter, 20, of West Frankfort, was behind the wheel of an ATV side-by-side that had been reported stolen from Benton. A West Frankfort police officer was in pursuit.

The sheriff's report said Gunter was attempting to evade the officer, and lost control of the vehicle when he negotiated a U-turn. The ATV crashed into the side of the police car.

West Frankfort Police Chief Michael Irwin said the police officer suffered a minor shoulder injury but is now fine.

The accident occurred about 4:40 a.m.

Sheriff's deputies said Gunter was not injured and was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. Gunter also is facing felony charges by West Frankfort police.</group><gro