Published: February 11, 2009 08:24 am      

Fender bender involves cop car

A driver involved in a minor fender bender on Graham Avenue Monday backed into a patrol car while attempting to leave the scene.

Charles Jones of Thayer, Kan., was driving a 1993 Cadillac at 11:15 a.m., Monday. He claimed the road was slick and the vehicle in front of him stopped suddenly, causing him to hit the bumper of the car driven by Michael Carpenter.

A passenger in Carpenter’s vehicle, Ronald Carpenter, was taken by Mayes Emergency Services Trust Authority to Mayes County Medical Center.

After working the accident, Officer Jeff Mitchell told Jones he could back out and leave. Mitchell’s patrol vehicle was parked at least one car length behind Jones’ vehicle.

Mitchell realized Jones wasn’t going to stop backing up and began hitting his horn. Jones backed his vehicle into the front of Mitchell’s patrol car and kept reversing.

Mitchell had Jones exit the vehicle and performed a field sobriety test. The man admitted he was on medication from his doctor and Jones’ wife, Anita, gave Mitchell a long list of medications.

Jones’ caregiver, Jennifer Wheeler, was also in the vehicle and Mitchell released Jones to leave as long as Wheeler was the driver.

Mitchell said he expects Mitchell’s reaction time was slow due to his medication. Jones was cited for following too closely. The car

was released with Wheeler driving.