VAN BUREN, Ark. (AP) — A Van Buren man accused of ramming into a Crawford County sheriff's vehicle has pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder.
Prosecutors accuse 54-year-old Michael Ree of fleeing a home June 10 as Deputy Halbert Torraca arrived to investigate a domestic disturbance report. Prosecutors claim that Ree hit Torraca's vehicle head-on.
The deputy says the crash caused his air bags to deploy. Torraca says he arrested Ree after the collision.
The Southwest Times Record reports that Ree also pleaded not guilty to first-degree criminal mischief and fleeing.
Ree told police that the sun got in his eyes and that he did not intentionally crash into Torraca's vehicle.
Attempted first-degree murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
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