An off-duty Stark County police sergeant fired several shots at a suspected drunken driver after she hit him with her car in Akron on Sunday night, police reported.
Bullets fired by Robert Lowe — a 37-year-old police sergeant for Hills and Dales, a small village just northwest of Canton — struck the vehicle, but did not hit Charleen Lemaster, the woman who Akron police reported was driving.
The shooting occurred immediately following a crash in which Lemaster is accused of rear-ending the sergeant’s vehicle twice at Gilchrist and Skelton roads just after 7 p.m., according to reports. When Lowe and his wife got out of their vehicle to investigate, Lemaster attempted to drive away but struck Lowe, landing him on the hood of her 1998 Buick Century.
That’s when Lowe opened fire.
Lemaster fled the scene in the Buick amidst gunfire, according to a 911 caller. She headed west on Gilchrist, police reported, and merged onto Interstate 76 westbound. She then rear-ended a 2003 Chevy Astro van, attempted to exit the highway at East Market Street and stopped her car on the exit ramp.
Officers arrested Lemaster, 28, of Akron, on the off-ramp. She appeared to be intoxicated and had an open bottle of alcohol in her purse, they said. Lemaster was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, hit skip and two counts of failing to maintain an assured clear distance.
Lowe was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. His two small children were in his vehicle and were injured, too.
Lemaster was transported to City Hospital, where she was treated and released.
Police are investigating the incident. Charges might be filed against Lowe, and additional charges could be filed against Lemaster.
Hills and Dales police could not be reached for comment. Cleveland.com reports Lowe’s superior officers are conducting an internal investigation to determine whether Lowe’s gunfire was justified.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.