County squad car sideswiped in Severance Twp.
October 25th, 2007A Sibley County Sheriff’s squad car was sideswiped in an accident Friday night on County Road 25, one-quarter mile east of County Road 2, south of Gibbon.
According to the State Patrol, a Sibley County deputy and the Gibbon Police Officer were investigating a traffic complaint when a pickup, driven by Gabriel L. Murphy, 25, of Gibbon, struck the left rear of the squad car.
Both of the officers’ emergency lights were activated, according to the State Patrol, and both officers went into the south ditch to avoid being struck.
Murphy, who was traveling east on County Road 25, left the scene of the accident and the Gibbon officer took off after the vehicle. After a short pursuit, Murphy struck a tree near his residence.
Murphy was transported by the Winthrop Ambulance to the New Ulm hospital, where he was treated and released. Alcohol was detected in his system, the State Patrol reported.
The deputy’s squad car is a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria.
