Tulsa Police Officer Injured During Chase

Police say an officer was taken to a Tulsa hospital after his patrol car was rammed during a pursuit early Thursday.

Officers said the chase started when the officer tried to stop a Dodge pickup driving erratically near the QuikTrip at 31st and Sheridan at about 1 a.m. 

Police said during the chase, the pickup's driver stopped in the 7700 block of East 26th Street, put it into reverse and backed up, ramming the officer's patrol car. They said the officer fired several rounds through his windshield at the pickup as it drove away from his disabled car.

Police found the pickup a short time later in a parking lot in the 6600 block of East 28th Street.  Richard Jean Letourneau was arrested after a brief search of the neighborhood.  Three other people in the truck were taken into custody and questioned.

Letourneau, 27, was booked on complaints of assault on a police officer, leaving the scene of an injury collision, eluding and excessive acceleration. Police said there was an 18-pack of Busch Light beer in the bed of the truck. The arrest report states the suspects had just committed a larceny at the QuikTrip before the officer tried to pull them over.

Police said the officer's arm was hurt when his car's airbag deployed during the collision.