Plea entered in case of state trooper who fell from overpass
10/12/2017
Shawnte Groom appears with public defender James MacHarg in a wheelchair for his arraignment at Toledo Municipal Court on July 25.
The Blade
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An East Toledo man who led police on a high-speed chase then wrestled with a state trooper, causing them both to topple from an overpass on I-75, pleaded guilty Thursday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Shawnte Groom, 34, of the 1000 block of Madeleine Street pleaded guilty to failure to comply with the order of signal of a police officer, operating a vehicle under the influence, and assault.
RELATED: Toledo man accused of leading state trooper on pursuit arraigned
As part of a plea agreement, the assault charge was reduced to a first-degree misdemeanor and a charge of resisting arrest is to be dismissed at sentencing.
Judge Dean Mandros told him he faces up to three years in prison and a lifetime driver’s license suspension when he is sentenced Oct. 24.
A state trooper attempted to stop Groom's vehicle July 21 on I-475, but Groom drove off with his headlights off, ignoring the trooper's lights and siren. Groom headed north on I-75 and weaved through a construction zone before striking a trooper's patrol car.
Groom then entered the median near Stickney Avenue, got out of his car, and ran. Trooper Brian Mull chased him, and as he attempted to arrest Groom, the two men tussled and both fell from the Stickney Avenue overpass.
Both were treated for their injuries at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.
Groom, who still is wearing a neck brace, remains held in the Lucas County jail.
Contact Jennifer Feehan at jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.