Driver who allegedly hit Toledo officer released on bond

6/29/2007

A 45-year-old central Toledo man was released yesterday from the Lucas County jail on $5,000 bond after he was accused of running over the foot of a Toledo police officer while the officer was issuing a parking ticket, police said.

Officer Jason Lenhardt said he was writing the ticket Wednesday about 8:30 p.m. at Belmont Avenue and Hoag Street when Harold Dewine Meeks of 1028 Indiana Ave. said he wasn t going to pay it. Mr. Meeks then got into the car and took off, running over the officer s foot, police said.

Other officers pursued the vehicle and caught up with it in the 1000 block of Indiana, where Mr. Meeks was ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint. He is accused of struggling with the officers, ripping the badge off one s shirt. Officer Lenhardt was taken to Toledo Hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Police said several bottles of alcohol were found in Mr. Meeks vehicle, but he declined to take a Breathalyzer test. He was charged with assault on a police officer, driving under the influence, and failure to comply.