Myson Sanders
On Thursday, February 11th, at approximately 11PM, an Owasso patrol officer observed a blue sedan traveling northbound near the 6800 block of US Highway 169 at over 80 mph in the posted 55 mph construction zone. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, however, the driver accelerated and attempted to flee. Officers pursued the vehicle, during which the driver attempted to ram his vehicle into the pursuing officers. Officers pursued the vehicle, which reached speeds in excess of 90 mph, until the driver lost control and crashed near E 500 Road and S 4120 Road in rural Rogers County.
The driver continued to resist offers by refusing to obey orders to exit the vehicle and refusing to comply with officers’ efforts to place him under arrest. During the struggle, officers used pepper spray, which appeared to have no effect on the combative driver. Owasso K-9 Samson was then deployed to conduct a vehicle extraction. The driver grabbed K-9 Samson by the throat, pinned Samson’s head against the windshield of the vehicle and began choking the animal, who could be heard grasping for breath as the suspect squeezed his throat. After an additional struggle, Officers were able to remove the suspect from the vehicle, where they could secure him in handcuffs and render aid to Samson.
The driver, identified as Myron Dee Sanders, age 51 of Claremore. Sanders was arrested on the charges of Resisting an Officer, Mistreating a Police Dog, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Transporting an Open Container, Driving Under Suspension, Littering, Eluding a Police Officer, Running a Road Block, Speeding and Driving Under the Influence
Sanders was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries before being booked into jail.
K-9 Samson appears to have suffered no serious injuries or lasting effects from the altercation.
