A Franklin man was arrested on several felony charges after he struck parked vehicles with his truck and battered police officers while intoxicated.
Jake Earl Thorsby, 33, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting law enforcement, battery against a public safety official, battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery in the presence of a child, criminal mischief and criminal recklessness.
Franklin police just after 8 p.m. Sunday responded to a report of a hit and run accident in the 170 block of South Street in Franklin. A man and woman reported seeing the owner of a green Chevrolet truck, later identified as Thorsby, doing doughnuts and burnouts at the intersection of South Street and South Main Street before losing control and crashing into their parked truck, according to a Franklin Police Department report.
Thorsby left the scene of the accident, they told police. While they were talking to the officer, Thorsby drove by again, and the officer pursued him in his squad car, according to the report.
Thorsby pulled over on South Street, just west of State Street. He did not exit the truck, and instead put the vehicle in reverse, crashing into the police car behind him, the report said.
The officer got out of his car and instructed Thorsby to shut off his vehicle, which was still in reverse but not accelerating. Thorsby rolled down his window but refused to turn off his truck and exit the vehicle, shouting repeated profanities at the officer, according to the report.
He then leaned into the passenger side of the truck, prompting the officer to draw his gun, the report said.
The officer held Thorsby at gunpoint and called for backup. Thorsby continued to refuse orders, and made threats toward the officer. Soon after backup arrived, two officers opened the driver’s side door of the truck and pulled Thorsby out, according to the report.
Thorsby shoved one officer away and attempted to punch the other before he was taken down. On the ground, while being held by an officer, Thorsby continued to kick and swing one of his arms, striking the officer once in the leg. Thorsby then managed to grab the officer’s left arm during the struggle, prompting the officer to strike him five times in the head to break free, the report said.
Thorsby continued to resist arrest until another officer arrived on the scene and shocked him with a Taser twice to handcuff him, according to the report.
After he was detained, Thorsby continued to shout profanities and threats at the officers in response to questions. Police searched his truck and found several open beer cans, the report said.
Thorsby was taken to Johnson Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries and intoxication, according to the report.
Between the hit and run and his arrest, Thorsby was also involved in a domestic dispute, according to police. A woman called Franklin police earlier, reporting that Thorsby returned to her house saying he had hit another vehicle. She told police he then broke several glass items in her home and punched walls, the report said.
Thorsby was released from the hospital and booked into the Johnson County jail Sunday. He is held on $11,100 bond.
