CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Amid the Halloween festivities Tuesday night, with trick-or-treating full swing, a Clarksville Police officer responded to a domestic assault call that ended with a suspect ramming the patrol car.
At about 5:30 p.m., police responded to a home on Cleveland Drive. James Vasquez, 36, had been at the residence but left before officers arrived. A warrant for his arrest was taken out for domestic assault and vandalism.
At approximately 7:18 p.m., CPD received another call stating that Vasquez was back in the area.
When Officer Riley arrived at the scene, he saw a white Ford F-350 pickup truck, being driven by Vasquez, and tried to make a traffic stop. There were several children in the area trick-or-treating when Vasquez fled. He was not pursued.
Riley went to the residence to check on the victim and ensure her safety, but before Riley exited his vehicle, Vasquez had doubled back. Witnesses said the truck swerved to deliberately ram the officer’s patrol car from behind. Riley was able to exit his vehicle and arrest Vasquez.
Riley sustained minor injuries in this crash. The patrol car was a total loss and both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
Vasquez already had a warrant for the domestic assault and vandalism, and now has additional charges of aggravated assault on a first responder, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, driving under the influence, open container, simple possession, and unlawful drug paraphernalia.
