Police: Reserve deputy shoots, hits driver after wreck

The reserve deputy who was put on administrative leave after reportedly firing his gun at another driver in a minor traffic collision Thursday night struck the fleeing driver once in the left shoulder, according to arresting documents.

Samson Peltier, 45, of Clarksville was arrested following the incident at about 8:40 p.m. on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Peltier was heading north when his pickup truck was rear-ended by a Jeep SUV while stopped at a traffic light at the Morris Road intersection.

Peltier and the other driver both got out to inspect the light damage to the rear bumper of Peltier's vehicle, according to a Clarksville Police Department news release.

"When the unknown driver found out the police had been notified, he got into his Jeep and attempted to flee the scene," according to the release by CPD spokeswoman Natalie Hall.

"Peltier placed himself in front of the unknown driver's Jeep as he attempted to drive away and stated that he was almost hit. Peltier then drew his handgun and fired it at the Jeep as it drove away."

Peltier fired eight times, hitting the other driver once in the left shoulder, according to the arrest warrant. The driver went home and called 911 where he was then transported by EMS to Gateway Hospital and was treated for the gunshot wound. The arrest warrant did not list the victim's name.

Peltier was charged with reckless endangerment following the incident. An additional charge of aggravated assault was added later Friday. Peltier was booked into Montgomery County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jamie Dexter confirmed Friday that Peltier is a reserve deputy with the sheriff's office.

Peltier has been a reserve deputy with the sheriff's office since 2010, according to Dexter. Reserve deputies go through four hours of training a month and Peltier had already been through some of the yearly in-service training hours, Dexter said in an email. All reserve deputies are required to go through 100 hours of initial training as well.

Traffic on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard was slowed Thursday night as police worked the scene. Eight yellow markers were placed on the roadway around Peltier's pickup and a number of Clarksville Police officers and MCSO deputies were on the scene.

The Clarksville Police Department is in charge of the investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call Detective Channing Bartel at 931-648-0656, ext 5144, or the CrimeStoppers TIPS Hotline at 931-645-TIPS (8477).

The Clarksville Police Department is in charge of the investigation.

Stephanie Ingersoll

The Leaf Chronicle

245-0267

Breaking news reporter

Twitter: @Steph Leaf