After a brief car chase, a deputy shot a driver in the torso as the driver allegedly drove his car near an approaching officer.
Louisa County deputies had tried to pull over a Cadillac Seville around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015, when the driver, 55-year-old Richard Spurling, attempted to flee, according to a statement from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Spurling, who was the only one in the car, headed northeast on Stewart Road and turned west onto Fruitland Road, officers said. After traveling about two miles, Spurling then stopped near the intersection of Fruitland Road and Crimson Avenue.
When deputies approached the car, “Spurling drove his vehicle towards an approaching deputy,” according to the statement. “One Louisa County deputy discharged his duty sidearm in the direction of Spurling.”
According to the statement, Spurling was shot in the upper torso and was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were hurt.
Spurling’s charges include operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor traffic offenses.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Spurling remained in the hospital.