Springfield man charged after motorcycle crash on 'Live PD'

Viewers across the country watched as the Greene County Sheriff's Office chased a motorcyclist two weeks ago.

With a camera from the A&E Network show "Live PD" following along, Sheriff Jim Arnott chased a motorcyclist down Campbell Avenue in Springfield.

The motorcycle T-boned a sedan near the intersection with Republic Road. Court documents say the motorcyclist and his passenger were "catapulted into the air" before landing in the road.

Both the driver and passenger were transported to the hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Now, the alleged driver has been charged with six crimes related to the pursuit.

Austin Turner, 23, was charged Thursday with resisting arrest by fleeing, driving without a valid license, operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility, failure to register a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner and fourth-degree assault.

The assault charge is related to the injuries sustained by the passenger on the motorcycle.

According to a probable cause statement, Sheriff Arnott was sitting in his vehicle at West Bypass and James River Freeway just before 9 p.m. on March 16 when he saw a motorcycle that matched the description of one that had recently eluded one of his deputies.

When the motorcyclist did not pull over for Arnott, a pursuit ensued, according to the statement.

The statement says the motorcycle weaved in and out of traffic at speeds over 80 mph as the sheriff pursued.

Eventually, the chase proceeded onto Campbell Avenue.

As the deputy accompanied by a "Live PD" cameraman caught up to the scene, the motorcyclist crashed into a sedan, sending the two people flying forward.

The statement says Turner, the motorcycle driver, told Arnott he fled because he was on probation from a previous case for fleeing from police on a motorcycle.

Arnott told the News-Leader last week he pursued the motorcyclist in part because of a national trend of people using stolen motorcycles to commit robberies.

It does not appear Turner was charged with any other crimes not related specifically to the pursuit.

Two of Turner's charges are Class E felonies, the rest are misdemeanors. The Class E felonies carry possible 4-year sentences.

Turner does not have an attorney listed for this case. Online records indicate a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Greene County Sheriff's Office is scheduled to be on "Live PD" for the next 10 weeks. The show airs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on A&E.

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