Close Call For Newport Police Officer

A close call for Newport policer officer Wednesday evening. Patrolman Derek Wright had made a traffic stop on Hwy 25/70 near Greystone Way and had parked his police cruiser as such that traffic coming by would need to get in the left lane. A vehicle came by shortly afterwards driving in both the left and right lanes, coming within approximately a foot of the police cruiser and putting officer Wright and the driver of the pulled over vehicle in danger. Wright pursued the driver, who was 45 year old Homer Jones who was driving on a suspended license. He is being charged with reckless endangerment and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.