Lost, confused elderly driver sideswipes Vandalia police cruiser, sergeant says

A Vandalia police cruiser was “completely disabled” Monday night when a driver police described as “elderly, very confused” sideswiped the cruiser on Benchwood and Wyse roads in a hit-and-run accident,  Vandalia police Sgt. Jennifer Chiles said.

Police learned the driver is from Indiana and told them he had been lost for about an hour before the accident, said Chiles. The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m.

Vandalia and Butler Twp. police stopped the man at Little York Road and Poe Avenue a short time after the accident. He told police he was aware of what happened, but thought he could continue on because his headlights were still operable, Chiles said.

The officer, whose name was not released, was engaged in a traffic stop and was in his cruiser when the accident occurred. He was not injured, Chiles said.

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Chiles said police have not decided whether to pursue charges.

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