A Dowagiac man has been arrested, suspected of driving while intoxicated, striking a Cass County squad car and nearly hitting a Sheriff’s deputy.

It happened around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, when the deputy stopped a driver on M-51 near Van Buren Street for speeding, then learned the car he was driving was stolen.

Patrick McMeeken, 31, of Dowagiac was in the process of being placed under arrest for possession of the stolen vehicle, as well as possession of meth and a firearm when another vehicle suddenly approached and hit the door of the police car, missing the deputy by  inches.

Pokagon Tribal Police stopped the driver, Spencer Mourning, 47, and arrested him on reliminary charges of operating under the influence, possession of open container, possession of marijuana, and leaving the scene of a crash.

Both Mourning and McMeeken were taken to the Cass County Jail.