Syracuse man sentenced for ramming police car, firing shots at other vehicle

A Syracuse man who was shot by a Kosciusko County deputy in North Webster following a road rage incident in July 2016 was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison and 10 years probation after pleading guilty to multiple charges.

Alexander Jackson pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement in a vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and invasion of privacy.

On July 28, 2016, Jackson was accused of ramming and firing at a GMC Yukon while traveling on SR 13 in Syracuse. He followed the vehicle and rammed it multiple times before forcing it off the road, into three wooded poles and another vehicle.

Kosciusko County Deputy Donald McCune attempted to pull over Jackson's vehicle in North Webster, but he rammed the police cruiser.

Jackson lost control of his vehicle and struck a building. McCune positioned his patrol vehicle so Jackson could not flee.

Jackson then rammed McCune's vehicle and McCune was knocked unconscious.

When McCune regained consciousness and Jackson continued to ram his vehicle and did not respond to McCune's demands he surrender and show his hands, McCune fired several shots at Jackson's vehicle.

Jackson was struck by one of the bullets and surrendered.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Jackson was charged with attempted murder, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement, and criminal recklessness. He was released after being incarcerated for three days.

In September 2016, Jackson saw one of the original victims and attempted to hit them head on.

Additional charges were filed against him including intimidation, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and invasion of privacy.

Because Jackson is related to a member of the Kosciusko County Board of County Commissioners, a special judge was appointed. Kosciusko County Prosecutor also requested a Special Prosecutor be appointed.

On April 27, 2017, Jackson pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted aggravated battery, a level 3 felony, battery on a law enforcement officer, a level 5 felony, resisting law enforcement in a vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony, and criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony.

Jackson also pleaded guilty to intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony, and invasion of privacy, a class a misdemeanor, from the September events.

On Friday, Jackson was sentenced to 23.5 years in prison with 13.5 years to be served with the Indiana Department of Correction and 10 years suspended on reporting probation.