A law enforcement officer was struck and injured by a vehicle as he was directing traffic at a major fire scene in far south Newton County late Friday night. It happened shortly after 11:00 at the intersection of Highway 87 and 12 in Deweyville.

Meanwhile, the man who is accused of intentionally hit him is in custody after leading officers in a high speed chase followed by a standoff at a house that he was hiding in.

Sheriff Billy Rowles says that Deputy Matt Wonders and Lieutenant Barry Laird were both directing traffic when Wonders was struck by a late model white Ford Lightning pickup truck.

Laird pursued the truck southbound on Highway 87 into Orange County, but the driver was able to elude him and drove into a neighborhood.

Orange County deputies found the truck at a house a short time later, and following a brief standoff they were able to get the man to come out and surrender.

The suspect, Scott Allen Gantt was taken to jail and later appeared before Newton County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Greer, who officially arraigned Gantt on the charge of Aggravated Assault of a Peace Office, Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Driving While Intoxicated. Bond on Gantt was set at $151,000 and at last word he was still being held at the Newton County Jail.

Rowles said that Deputy Wonders, after hospital treatment, is now recovering from injuries to his legs.

The fire began about 90 minutes prior at what was described as a former motel on Highway 12. Deweyville firefighters and other area fire departments were still battling the blaze when the officer was struck.

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