The driver of a 2004 Ford Ranger which collided with a Columbus police officer’s vehicle on Nash Road on Friday was Bruce Kendall Owings, according to the Columbus Police Department.
Owings, 53, of 558 Jolly Road in Columbus, is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and felony possession of a controlled substance.
An agent with the CPD Narcotics Unit stopped Owings around 1:35 p.m. Friday near 12th Street North and Park Circle, in the area of Lee Park. Owings, who had outstanding warrants for traffic offenses, fled in his truck when he learned he was being arrested, nearly hitting the arresting officer, according to a media release from the Columbus Police Department.
Owings then led several police officers on a chase through Columbus, authorities say. The chase ended on Nash Road in a head-on collision between Owings and a Columbus police officer after Owings attempted to reverse his direction by circling around a residence, authorities say.
Officers say they found suspected cocaine in the Ford Ranger.
Owings and the investigator were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where both were treated and released the same day.
The officer has been home recovering and is expected to return to work today, authorities say.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.