— submitted ||Deputies rammed a fleeing vehicle after the driver became a danger to motorists.

Officers forced to ram fleeing suspect's vehicle

Burglary suspect
flees police, forced
off roadway during
high-speed pursuit


By Misti Drew
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mdrew@tribunecourier.com

SHARPE – Michael Merrell has an extensive criminal history.
And last Thursday, he added another several charges to the list.

At approximately 6 p.m., Merrrell allegedly broke into a home located in the Sharpe area.

The resident stated that when she heard a brick being thrown through her back window, she fled to a neighbor’s house and called for help.

The caller was able to give officers a description of Merrell’s vehicle.

Marshall County Deputy Kelly Drew was responding to the scene when he located a gold Ford Taurus, matching the caller’s description.

A pursuit ensued.

Drew said he attempted to stop Merrell’s vehicle for some seven miles as they traveled on 68 East, toward Draffenville.

Two other deputies assisted in the pursuit.

Merrell exceeded speeds of 90 miles per hour as he attempted to flee from officers. He then made a sharp turn onto Hwy. 1422.

According to the officers, as soon as Merrell exited U.S. highway 68, Drew initiated what is known as a ‘PIT maneuver.’

The PIT maneuver is a method which is often utilized to force a vehicle to abruptly turn sideways to the direction of travel, causing the driver to lose control and stop.

When Drew’s police cruiser made contact with the back of Merrell’s vehicle, it caused it to spin left, striking a tree.

Merrell was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. He was thrown through the passenger-side window, where he came to final rest between the tree and car.

Merrell sustained a head laceration and suffered skin lacerations when tree bark embedded in his shoulder.

He was taken to Marshall County Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released into police custody.

Merrell was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking over $300 (9 mm handgun), aggravated DUI, wanton endangerment of a police officer, first degree criminal mischief for destroying a mailbox, failure to wear a seat belt and speeding.

Merrell has already spent time in prison on drug and burglary charges, last released in 2006. Now Merrell will face persistent felony offender charges, as well.