Yukon Police Arrest Man Accused In DUI Crash That Injured Officer

Yukon police arrest a suspected drunk driver following an accident that injured a police officer.

Police arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Robert Russell of Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Police say Russell crashed his car into a police cruiser Tuesday night along Ranchwood Blvd. in Yukon. Officer Todd Hawthorne with the Yukon Police Department was responding to a burglary call at the time.

The crash happened right in front of the police station. Lt. Buddy Guth was outside, heard it happen, and was the first one on the scene.

"Fortunately he was talking to us on the scene which was a good sign," said Guth.

9/3/2013 Related Story: Suspected Drunken Driver Hits Officer's Patrol Car In Yukon

Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to free Hawthorne from his cruiser. Hawthorne was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for two broken ribs and a broken clavicle. He was released from the hospital at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Hawthorne has been in law enforcement for six years. He has been with Yukon police for one year.

Russell was not injured in the crash. He was booked into the Yukon jail on charges of DUI, transporting an open container and speeding.

"That's what makes it so irritating," said Yukon Police Chief John Corn.  "Call a cab, have a buddy take you home, don't risk killing yourself or somebody else on a bad decision."