An elderly man accused of running over a firefighter along the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been arrested.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said 83-year-old Tommy Broadnax allegedly ran over a U.S. Forestry firefighter who was trying to prevent him from driving into an area where a blaze had broken out. The incident happened Saturday around 5:45 p.m. in the Latimer community.
At the time of the incident, local firefighters, along with U.S. Forestry personnel, were actively working to contain and extinguish a forest fire in the area of Stephen Earl Drive. The roadway had been closed to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and the public, per officials.
When notified of the road closure, Broadnax is said to have become agitated and refused to comply with lawful orders given by first responders. He then allegedly struck the forestry firefighter with his vehicle, knocking her to the ground, before continuing down the roadway.
Broadnax was promptly apprehended by law enforcement without further incident. He is charged with simple assault on a firefighter — a felony in the state of Mississippi.