Report: Wis. Man Says He Intentionally Crashed Into Squad Car

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A western Wisconsin man involved in a crash with a police officer in March that went viral was reportedly booked into jail this week after telling authorities he drove head-on towards the officer on purpose.

The Hudson Star-Observer reports that 21-year-old Quinton C. Hesse, of New Richmond, was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted homicide by negligence, recklessly endangering safety and battery to officers in connection to the March 31 crash.

Police in Hudson, where the crash happened, say Hesse came forward and gave a statement to officers, admitting that he intentionally ran into a squad car.

Hesse made his first court appearance on Wednesday. Officials say he was charged with recklessly endangering safety and battery, but the attempted homicide charge was not included.

The crash was captured on dash cam video, and quickly went viral after it was posted to Facebook. The video shows officer Andrew Wedell driving along Coulee Road when a car coming towards him crosses the center lines.

Wedell swerves to the right, dodging a head-on collision. Instead, Hesse's car hits Wedell's backseat. The officer and Hesse both suffered minor injuries.

"Looking at the car, coming right at you, it could have been the end at that point," Wedell told WCCO shortly after the crash.

Initially, Hesse told investigators that he was adjusting his radio dial and wasn't paying attention to the road. He pleaded no contest in April to inattentive driving.