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October 7, 2009

NEW: Charges filed in July highway pursuit

By Meghan McCormick



Transcript Staff Writer

Almost three months after an Ada man allegedly led Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and area police officers in a pursuit that began near Purcell and ended when troopers opened fire on the suspect's vehicle east of Norman, criminal charges have been filed in the matter.

Dennis Allen Strange, 35, was charged Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court with attempting to elude while endangering others and assault with a dangerous weapon (automobile). He also faces two misdemeanor charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and leaving the scene of an accident with damage to vehicle.

The charges stem from a July 18 incident, according to the charges filed against Strange.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the Purcell Police Department received a call of a possible intoxicated driver driving a black Ford extended cab pickup on July 18. Purcell police officer Nathan Cross found a vehicle matching the description at a stop light in Purcell.

"While observing this truck, Cross noted that the truck accelerated quickly from the stoplight and spun his tires," the affidavit stated. "Officer Cross activated his emergency lights and siren and the vehicle accelerated and failed to yield/stop for his emergency lights. A pursuit ensued with Cross pursuing the suspect onto Interstate 35 northbound."

The pursuit continued into Cleveland County, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit showed Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers deployed stop sticks on I-35 at Mile Marker 106, just south of Norman. The stop sticks flattened two tires on the pickup.

"The suspect then exited on exit 108B on State Highway 9 eastbound," the affidavit stated. "The suspect drove east on State Highway 9 weaving in and out of traffic, causing at least one non-injury collision with a civilian."

According to the affidavit, the suspect driver did not stop at the collision site. The suspect continued eastbound on State Highway 9 and then turned south on 12th Avenue SE.

At the intersection of 12th Ave SE and Cedar Lane, the suspect attempted to make a u-turn and lost control of the pickup. The vehicle slid into the east ditch, the affidavit stated.

"While in the ditch, Troopers Ozment and Hemphill pulled their marked OHP units into the ditch in front of the suspect vehicle in an attempt to block his path. The suspect vehicle then began to accelerate and drive in the direction of the Trooper(s)," the affidavit stated. "Trooper Ozment discharged his weapon several times in the direction of the suspect vehicle attempting to stop the suspect. After the shots were fired, the suspect vehicle stopped accelerating. Officers from the Purcell Police Department and Troopers on scene then extracted the driver from this vehicle and arrested him."

The affidavit shows Strange was identified as the suspect.

According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Strange was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center at 3:50 a.m. July 19 for resisting an executive officer, leaving the scene of an accident, eluding police to endanger another person and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. His bond was set at $13,000. Strange was released from CCDC custody at 7:30 a.m. the same day after his bond was posted

Meghan McCormick

366-3539

mmccormick@normantranscript.com

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