Missouri man charged with hitting DNR officer near Litchfield

Montgomery County officials say a man with a revoked driver’s license who is accused of striking an Illinois Conservation Police officer with his car before leading police on a 60-mile chase has been charged with a felony.

Jason Jenkins, 32, of Florissant, Mo., faces a charge of aggravated battery to a peace officer, a class 2 felony.

The Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police officer attempted to stop Jenkins about 11 a.m. Monday on a boat ramp at Lake Lou Yaeger near Litchfield. Jenkins allegedly backed up with the driver-side door of his 2012 Mazda open, striking the officer with the door before speeding off.

The officer was knocked to the ground and taken to a local hospital, but DNR spokesman Chris Young said Monday the officer was not injured.

An Illinois State Police trooper stationed in Litchfield saw Jenkins’ car on Interstate 55, moments after the DNR officer radioed for help, and gave chase.

Police deployed stop sticks twice during the chase, but Jenkins’ car didn’t give out until after he exited Interstate 270 in Florissant and had struck two vehicles in a grocery store parking lot. Jenkins then ran off but was soon caught.

Jenkins also faces charges in St. Louis County of being a fugitive from out of state and with leaving the scene of an accident.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Missouri man charged with hitting DNR officer near Litchfield."