Toledo man accused of striking construction worker by car while being chased by police arrested

10/21/2013
BLADE STAFF
Robert A. Sinkey.
Robert A. Sinkey.

A Toledo man accused of striking a road worker with a car while being chased by police in a construction zone in the central city today, has been arrested, authorities said.

Robert Sinkey, 25, of 1001 Mott Ave., was charged with felonious assault in the incident, in which Jarred James, 20, of Toledo, was injured, according to Toledo police. Mr. James was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where he was released after treatment a hospital spokeswoman said.

Mr. Sinkey was additionally charged with theft, resisting arrest, obstructing official business, and criminal damaging and endangering, according to the Lucas County Sheriff's Office. He was booked into the county jail pending arraignment Tuesday at Toledo Municipal Court.

The incident occurred about 9:25 a.m. near Collingwood Boulevard and Floyd Street, Toledo police spokesman Sgt. Joe Heffernan said.

Toledo police were assisting Northwood and Owens police departments in a chase that started in Northwood a short time before, Sergeant Heffernan said. Mr. Sinkey, who was believed to be the driver, was wanted on warrants for a parole violation and a misdemeanor, according to the sheriff's office.

After striking the construction worker, the driver fled on foot and stole a pickup. A short time later, a Toledo police detective in an unmarked car spotted the pickup driving on Cherry Street toward downtown and followed it to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Bridge, where police vehicles boxed it in, the spokesman said.

The driver then jumped from the truck, while leaving it in gear, and tried to escape, appearing to be about to jump off the bridge, but was taken into custody, according to a police report. The truck caused a "minor" crash on the bridge, the spokesman said.