A 55-year-old Salem man who eventually became stuck in the mud during a chase with Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies has been arrested on multiple charges including aggravated battery to one of the deputies.
Ronald Sands of Hickory Lane was taken to the Marion County Jail for aggravated fleeing and eluding police, resisting arrest, criminal damage to government supported property and aggravated battery to a police officer.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says a deputy initially tried to stop Sands on Barham Road in rural Odin. After speeds reached over 80 miles per hour, Sands reportedly slowed to 10 to 20 miles per hour. He allegedly swerved at deputies attempting to get in front of him to try and stop his SUV. Sands also reportedly swerved in front of Cripps as he approached from the other direction. A squad car eventually did get in front of Sands in an attempt to box him in, but he hit the right rear passenger side of the squad car and continued on. Eventually, Sands went down a dead-end oil field road where he became stuck in the mud.
Sands then reported refused to get out of the car. A deputy tazed him through a partially open window, allowing them to reach inside and open the doors. Sands then allegedly fought being handcuffed.
The chase began shortly after midnight Sunday morning.
