News: Ironic
Police chief cited for not having driver's license
FERRYVILLE, Wis. (AP) As if the broken ribs and totaled car weren't enough.
Ferryville Police Chief Larry Deluhery was cited for driving without a license last week when he was injured in a traffic accident while pursuing a speeding vehicle.
Deluhery, the town's sole officer, also suffered four broken ribs and totaled the police department's SUV in the accident on July 14, authorities said Friday.
He was also cited for making an unsafe turn by Wisconsin State Trooper Dan Breeser, who investigated the accident in Ferryville, a village of 174 residents in southwestern Wisconsin.
The citation does not say how long the 53-year-old was driving without a license.
According to the state patrol, Deluhery made a U-turn to pursue a vehicle speeding through the village's main route. While turning, he was struck behind the driver's door by another SUV.
Deluhery had to be removed from the vehicle. He was flown to a medical center and released two days later. The driver of the other SUV and his wife were treated for minor injuries.
Messages left Saturday by The Associated Press at Deluhery's home in Prairie du Chien and at the police department were not immediately returned.
Deluhery has been placed on medical leave and it's unclear when he will return to work, said Remi Moore, president of the Ferryville Village Board.
Moore said Deluhery, who has been police chief since August 2002, was a ``good asset'' and helped a great deal in catching motorists speeding through the village, a major concern for Ferryville.
