DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Lawrence Police Sergeant was treated at a local hospital Monday night after injuries he received while arresting a man who fled from police and put several residents and officers at risk, according to police spokesperson Laurie McCabe.
Dash camera video shows the officers as they witness a white pickup truck driving recklessly near 7th and Vermont about 8:20p.m. Officers move to their patrol vehicles, activate lights and sirens, attempt to pull the vehicle over, and begin pursuit when the driver doesn’t comply.
The truck continues and drives the wrong way on Tennessee Street, stops at a red light but remains in the truck, cuts in front of a city bus, then continues driving erratically through neighborhood streets and ultimately through a yard.
The suspect eventually pulls into a residence in the 800 block of Morning Dove Court and refuses to exit the vehicle. After several attempts to get the driver to exit the truck, he flees into the residence and officers follow.
Inside the residence, the suspect continued to resist, using physical force, but officers were able to get him into custody after a physical struggle.
One officer suffered minor injuries and did not require medical attention. The injured Sergeant, who was first in line entering the home, was taken to the hospital where he was treated for multiple injuries and contusions, and subsequently released.
The suspect, 44-year-old Craig Gunther, was arrested on numerous requested charges including Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Felony Interference.
The Sergeant is at home recovering. He is expected to make a full recovery, but authorities do not have an estimated timeline.