WEST DES MOINES – An Iowa man has been arrested after running over a police officer and causing him life-threatening injuries.
On November 8th, 2020, at approximately 00:04 hours West Des Moines Police Officer Jon Kaufman’s police vehicle was struck as Officer Kaufman was awaiting a tow truck on I-35 northbound at approximately the Westown Parkway overpass. The driver of the vehicle that was being impounded, had already been transported by another officer to the West Des Moines Police Department for an Operating While Intoxicated investigation. Officer Kaufman was seated in his police vehicle at the time of the collision and sustained severe injuries as a result of the crash. The striking vehicle, driven by Jon Swartz, 61, of Kellogg, Iowa was the operator of the striking vehicle. Officer Kaufman and Swartz were transported to local hospitals following the crash.
A crash investigation was initiated at the scene by the West Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit as well as the Iowa State Patrol. After an extensive and thorough investigation, and after consultation with the Polk County Attorney’s Office, Jon Swartz is being charged with:
- Serious Injury by vehicle-Reckless driving
- Serious Injury by vehicle-OWI
- Exceeding posted speed limit
- Reckless Driving
- Improper use of electronic communication device
- Approach to certain stationary vehicles causing personal injury
- Operating While Intoxicated, 1st offense
On December 22, 2020 Swartz was taken into custody by West Des Moines Police Officers and transported to the Polk County Jail. The investigation in this case is ongoing, however, no further charges are expected at this time.
