Driver strikes patrol car — twice

Published 9:49 pm Wednesday, December 10, 2014

An impaired motorist struck a Florala police car not once, but twice Tuesday evening, according to officials.

Officer Jessica Lawhorn was stopped at a local convenience store with her patrol car when Rusty Townsend, 34, of Florala, attempted to park his vehicle and struck the patrol car.

“The guy pulled up, struck the police car, then backed up and did it again,” FPD Chief Sonny Bedsole said. “He said he was sorry.”

Bedsole said the event was captured on store security cameras, and outside agencies were called to conduct the investigation to keep the accident report impartial.

Officers from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and Opp Police Department investigated the scene, and Townsend was arrested for driving under the influence.

It is believed that Townsend was under the influence of a controlled substance when the accident occurred.

Bedsole said the vehicle sustained more than $250 in damage, but it is serviceable.