11/05/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A judge has ordered a mental health
evaluation for a man accused of intentionally driving his pickup
truck into a pair of Idaho State Police motorcycle troopers parked
along an interstate median.

The evaluation ordered Thursday will determine if David P.
Turnovec, of Buhl, is mentally competent to stand trial.

Turnovec is charged with two counts of felony battery on a
police officer and one count of using a deadly weapon during the
commission of a felony.

The crash occurred Oct. 22 along a stretch of Interstate 84 on
the eastern outskirts of Boise.

Two troopers were injured.

Prosecutors say Turnovec was irritated about getting two traffic
tickets earlier in the day. They also say he has been diagnosed
with paranoid schizophrenia.


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APNP-11-05-09 1725MST<