A man who struck a Fort Worth officer during a police pursuit has been sentenced to life in prison

On Monday, a man who deliberately drove into a Fort Worth police officer during a pursuit was sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Matthew Brazeal sustained severe injuries when Ronnie Jackson struck him in June 2020. Brazeal was outside his patrol car attempting to deploy stop sticks when the collision occurred.

Stop sticks, also known as spike strips, are devices used by police to puncture and deflate car tires, with the aim of ending a pursuit. As a chase approaches, an officer on foot throws the device into the roadway just before the vehicle passes.

Jackson was convicted of striking Brazeal in a crash that resulted in the officer’s body being dragged for over 100 feet.

Brazeal underwent several weeks of hospitalization and is still recovering from his injuries. He recently returned to light duty, nearly four years after the incident.

A veteran of the United States Army, Brazeal had served for three years with the Fort Worth Police Department at the time of the collision. He had previously worked in law enforcement in Parker County and Weatherford.