Runaway driver allegedly crashed into patrol car, injured soldier charged with crimes

MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MI – A man in Wisconsin who allegedly crashed into a patrol car and injured a soldier while fleeing last week is charged with three counts.

Jonah Vaughn, 36, of Wisconsin, again attempted to flee Michigan state police when soldiers caught up with him two days later, according to a press release from the MSP. He allegedly assaulted a police dog during this incident.

Vaughn was arraigned Thursday, January 21 on three counts: one count of assault, resist, hurt a policeman, a 15-year felony; an account of flee and escape the third degree, a five-year felony; and an account of unlawful removal of an automobile, a five-year felony, police said. His bond was set at $ 250,000; he is housed in the Missaukee County Jail.

Vaughn was arrested on Friday January 15 after the MSP Seventh District fugitive team and MSP Cadillac Post soldiers located him near a residence in the Marion area, police said. However, it would not have gone without incident. Vaughn reportedly fled the soldiers in an all-terrain utility vehicle (UTV). When the UTV got stuck, Vaughn reportedly continued on foot amid orders to stop. An MSP K9 was released and caught up with Vaughn. He allegedly hit the K9 and continued to ignore the controls. Vaughn was eventually arrested after a soldier deployed a Taser.

MSP had initial contact with Vaughn on Wednesday, January 13 in Missaukee County. An MSP soldier was helping the fugitive team search for a suspect.

The soldier stopped a Dodge pickup truck on Maple Street in McBain. Two men were in the vehicle. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle to speak with the fleeing team; he complied.

As the driver was outside the vehicle speaking with the fleeing team, the soldier began questioning a man believed to have been Vaughn, who was in the passenger seat.

Police said Vaughn refused to provide the officer with ID and when asked to remove the keys from the ignition, Vaughn slipped into the driver’s seat and accelerated.

The soldier jumped into his patrol vehicle and pursued Vaughn, who then allegedly crashed into the patrol vehicle twice. The second, the patrol car ended up in a ditch where it broke down. The soldier sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital, police said. The pickup was later found on Fourth Street in Marion.

Vaughn’s next court appearance is Thursday, February 8, at the 84th Missaukee County District Court.

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