College Student In Smart Car Crashes Into Cops, Believes They Are Al-Qaida

Smart cars are only as smart as their drivers.

A University of Iowa student challenged the reputation of smart cars this weekend when he sideswiped two police cars, nearly injuring another officer, all in what he claimed drunkenly was in the name of fighting al-Qaeda.

The incident occurred late on Sunday night around 1:54 a.m., when the Iowa City Police were parked investigating an assault. The driver of the red smart car, Andrew V. Lange, 22, of Maquoketa, reportedly came down the street without headlights on and missing a front license plate.

After nearly hitting a police officer on a bike, as well as two parked police cars, the smart car came to a stop. The police allegedly struggled to handcuff Lange, causing one officer to injure his wrist. During the arrest Lange claimed that he believed he was in Afghanistan and that the police officers were members of al-Qaeda.

Lange refused any kind of intoxication test. However, the police reported that Lange's eyes were bloodshot and watery and that he smelled distinctly of alcohol.



Lange now faces a DUI charge, a serious misdemeanor, as well as interference with an Official Acts resulting in Bodily Injury, an aggravated misdemeanor.

The University of Iowa stated that whether or not Lange has military experience is not public information.