A Stark County police department will investigate whether one of its off-duty sergeants violated departmental policy when he opened fire on a suspected drunken driver who allegedly hit him with her car in Akron.
Chad Lebold, chief of police for Hills and Dales, a small village northwest of Canton, said the department will make a determination as soon as Akron police complete their investigation into the Sunday night incident.
“We’ll be doing an internal investigation as soon as information is available from Akron police,” he said. “Right now, all we know is what was reported in the media.”
Lebold said he’d spoken with Sgt. Robert Lowe, 37, who had been treated at Summa Akron City Hospital and released after he was struck.
“He’s recovering,” Lebold said.
Lowe, a five-year veteran of the department, was on unrelated medical leave at the time of the incident, the chief said.
Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards said Wednesday that police continue to investigate.
According to reports, Lowe opened fire at 28-year-old Charleen Lemaster after she struck him with her 1998 Buick Century.
Lemaster rear-ended Lowe’s 2003 Chevy Trailblazer twice at Gilchrist and Skelton at about 7 p.m. Sunday, according to police. He got out of his vehicle and was struck when Lemaster attempted to flee, a 911 caller reported.
Lemaster was not struck with bullets, but police said her Buick was hit.
Lemaster was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, hit skip and two counts of failing to maintain an assured clear distance. Lowe could be charged and Lemaster could face more charges pending the Akron police investigation.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.
