Police are investigating after an off-duty officer fired shots at a woman who allegedly hit him with her car in Akron Sunday.
Investigators said Hills & Dales off-duty Sgt. Robert Lowe was in his Chevy Trailblazer with his wife and children when he was rear-ended by a Buick Century near Gilchrist Road and Skelton Roads around 7:11 p.m. According to a police report, Lowe's SUV was rammed a second time.
After the crash, Lowe went to make sure the other driver--28-year-old Charleen Lemaster-- was okay. That's when she allegedly accelerated, striking Lowe and forcing him to roll off the hood of the car, according to Lt. Rick Edwards.
As the car drove off, Lowe started shooting at the vehicle, according to police.
Lowe told a 911 operator that he fired his weapon three times. Lemaster's car was hit, but she was not.
Edwards said Lemaster got on I-76 West and was involved in another accident near the Market Street exit.
Lemaster was arrested by responding officers who noted she appeared to intoxicated and an open bottle of alcohol was spotted in her purse.
She's facing charges of OVI, hit-skip and assured clear distance. She will appear in Akron Municipal traffic court at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Both Lemaster and Lowe were taken to Summa Akron City Hospital for treatment.
The Akron city prosecutor is investigating to determine if Lowe should face any charges.
The Hills & Dales Police Department is made up of three full-time officers and 10 part-time officers. Lowe has been on the force for five years. He was already scheduled to start medical leave on Monday for an unrelated issue.
According to police chief Chad Lebold, there will an internal investigation as well.
"I'd like to find out a little bit more information before I comment on it," Lebold said.
