Sheriff: Deputy suffers broken leg during struggle with suspect
LAKESIDE, Ore. - A deputy broke his leg attempting to take an uncooperative suspect into custody Wednesday, the Coos County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputy Ernie Mitchell, a 17-year veteran of the Coos County Sheriff's Office, suffered a broken leg while struggling with a man suspected of hit-and-run, the sheriff's office said.
Mitchell was taken to Bay Area Hospital for treatment.
The situation started around 5:22 p.m. with a report of a hit-and-run at the Kozy Trailer Park in Lakeside.
Charles Hess, 35, of Lakeside had hit a parked car with a Ford F150 and then ran from the scene on foot, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies located Hess in a nearby field. He was placed under arrest on suspicion of hit-and-run.
"During the apprehension of Mr. Hess, he was combative and assaultive towards the Deputies," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Deputy Mitchell "received an injury to his leg, breaking it when he was struggling with Mr. Hess, attempting to place him into custody," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies subdued Hess, who now faces additional charges of Interfering, Resisting Arrest and Assault on a Public Safety Officer. Hess was booked into the Coos County Jail.
