MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A Memphis lawyer is accused of hitting a Memphis Police officer as his car was being towed.
Christopher Donovan appeared in court on February 6, 2012 on a charge of Reckless Endangerment.
On Jan. 27, a Memphis Police officer was beginning to tow a car for six unpaid parking tickets. That's when cops said Donovan hopped into his car and tried to drive away. The officer was hit as he tried to stop him.
The tow truck driver, Joey Smith, saw the whole thing.
"The officer told him to get out of the car and he refused to get out of the car. The officer leaned over into the car to either cut the car off or contain him and he drove off. When he drove off the door flew back and hit the officer," he told abc24.com.
Donovan is currently free on bond.
The city's boot and tow program began Jan. 10, and 150 drivers had already been caught within the first month. In order to get their cars back, they've had to pay.
Here's a breakdown of the new rules:
- Drivers only have 15 days to contest a ticket.
- With three unpaid parking tickets, the car gets booted.
- More than three or $500 in unpaid tickets, it gets towed.
- All money owed to the city has to be paid before the car is released.
Parking fines will also go from $21 to $81 if a ticket goes unpaid for 90 days.
