Bushnell Man Charged with Attempted Agg Battery with a Deadly Weapon After Ramming Deputy's Car
Deputy’s Swift Actions Saves Lives
By Lynne Campbell & Darcie Shinberger
A Bushnell man has been charged with attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after deliberately ramming a McDonough County Sheriff deputy's squad car during an incident near 84 Murphy Road in Bushnell Saturday, March 21 around 7:30 p.m.
According to McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout, Deputy Katie Norton is credited with saving the lives of several rescue personnel who were at the scene of an altercation involving Edward C. Anderson, 49, of 88 Murphy Rd., Bushnell. Anderson allegedly physically assaulted his neighbor, and later fled the scene in his vehicle, a Jeep Liberty, at a high rate of speed.
Bushnell Police Chief Justin Hood said Bushnell Police Officer Kristina Johnson was the first officer on the scene. She was tending to the individuals who were injured, when Anderson left the scene and fled in his vehicle. Johnson pursued Anderson east on Murphy Road at a high rate of speed, following the department’s pursuit policy, Hood noted. While Johnson was in pursuit, Norton ran back to her squad car when she heard on the radio that Anderson had turned around and was driving his vehicle directly at the Bushnell Rescue Squad and officers gathered at the scene, Petitgout said. That's when Norton stepped quickly into action.
"Deputy Norton pulled her squad car in front of the scene to shield the other officers and rescue workers. She escaped the vehicle seconds before Anderson's car plowed through it," the sheriff said. “She saved several people as we believe he was aiming for these rescue workers and Anderson allegedly admitted to the ISP that he was intentionally driving toward them. I want to commend Deputy Norton for her quick actions Saturday and for doing the job she was trained to do. She just narrowly escaped, she didn’t have a second to spare. She did a fantastic job.”
Anderson received minor injuries and was arrested at McDonough District Hospital by the Illinois State Police. Anderson, who is being held in the McDonough County Jail, is being charged by the Illinois State Police with attempted battery with a deadly weapon, attempted aggravated battery of a peace officer, driving under the influence of alcohol and criminal damage to state property $10,000-$100,000, and by the Bushnell Police Department with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, resisting a police officer, domestic battery, aggravated battery and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
A detention hearing was held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 23. The Community News Brief will have a follow-up story in Friday's edition as the detention hearing was after press time.
According to Judici, Anderson has faced numerous charges, including unknown traffic charges where fines were assessed and supervision was assigned, in McDonough County over the years. In November 2006, he was arrested on aggravated assault/deadly weapon charges. Anderson pleaded guilty nearly one year later and was sentenced to 18 months supervision.
