GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — Newly released dash camera footage shows a Geauga County Sheriff’s deputy run a red light and crash into a truck on Tuesday night. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is now investigating the collision, which caused the truck to crash into a local country store at the intersection of Route 44 and U.S. 322 in Munson Township.
Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand says the deputy was responding to a domestic violence call at 8:56 p.m. Tuesday night. Hildenbrand says the deputy didn’t have his sirens or lights on, but he was updating his computer with information from the call instead of paying attention to the road.
“I wouldn’t call it racing to the scene. He was going to the scene to back up someone else,” said Hildenbrand. “They're not supposed to be messing with the computer. Most of the information can generally be given over the radio, and then you don't have to take your eyes off the road, but, I mean, either way, you have to pay attention to what's going on.”
The OSHP tells 3News that the deputy will be cited for a seat belt violation and a red light violation later this week.
You can see dashcam footage of the crash involving the cruiser and a Dodge Ram below.
Hildenbrand says both of the vehicles suffered extensive damage, but luckily neither of the drivers were hurt.
Farley’s Country Store, which two people live in, was severely damaged by the crash.
One of the inhabitants told 3News they were watching TV when the car crashed in, but they were not injured.
Officials say that the deputy was taken to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Dodge Ram was not injured.
The two individuals inside the building were not injured.
3News asked Hildenbrand whether the deputy would face any disciplinary action within the Sheriff’s Office.
“Technically, that was his last shift, last night. He was leaving. He resigned. He was going to Chardon Police Department,” said Hildenbrand. “So right now, we want to make sure that everything is, all his medical stuff is taken care of. So he's going to be off for as long as the doctor says he needs to be off.”
Alcohol, drugs, or speed were not a factor in the crash, according to OSHP.
At this time, the crash remains under investigation.