Shooting involving Payne County Sheriffâ€™s deputy ruled accidental

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- A shooting in which a Payne County sheriff's deputy fired into a vehicle has been ruled accidental.<br/><br/>Payne County Undersheriff Noel Bagwell says last week's shooting

Thursday, November 3rd 2005, 5:52 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- A shooting in which a Payne County sheriff's deputy fired into a vehicle has been ruled accidental.

Payne County Undersheriff Noel Bagwell says last week's shooting occurred while deputies were executing a search warrant for drugs.

During the search, a vehicle with tinted windows approached that deputies believed belonged to someone living in the home.

Bagwell says deputies ordered the car to stop. As a deputy ran beside the vehicle, it veered to the left, pinning the deputy between the car and a utility guide wire. Bagwell says that's when the weapon discharged, breaking the car window.

The driver, Benjamine Thompson, says the tinted windows prevented him from seeing who was outside. Once a shot was fired, Thompson says he was afraid to stop.