VAN BUREN, Ark. (AP) - A Van Buren man accused of ramming into a Crawford County sheriff's vehicle has pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder.

Prosecutors accuse 54-year-old Michael Ree of fleeing a home June 10 as Deputy Halbert Torraca arrived to investigate a domestic disturbance report. Prosecutors claim that Ree hit Torraca's vehicle head-on.

The deputy says the crash caused his air bags to deploy. Torraca says he arrested Ree after the collision.

The Southwest Times Record reports (http://is.gd/hvzfC1) that Ree also pleaded not guilty to first-degree criminal mischief and fleeing.

Ree told police that the sun got in his eyes and that he did not intentionally crash into Torraca's vehicle.

Attempted first-degree murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

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