WILTON – A New Vineyard man was arrested and is facing several charges after police say he drove recklessly over lawns and nearly struck bystanders and a dog, assaulted a woman and two officers, who tased the man several times to little or no effect on Saturday.
Kirk Hamel, 43, of New Vineyard, is charged with domestic violence assault, two charges of assault on an officer, refusal to submit to arrest, violation of condition of release, operating under the influence and reckless conduct with a motor vehicle. He was also charged with operating after suspension, criminal mischief, and an unregistered vehicle.
According to Police Chief Heidi Wilcox, just after noon on Saturday, Wilton Officer Gary Allen “responded to multiple reports of a black Camaro driving recklessly over lawns and screeching tires in the roadway. The reports were that the vehicle was on Main Street traveling towards Farmington.”
Sgt. Edward Hastings IV of Farmington Police Department also responded to assist in locating the Camaro. A short time later, officers Allen and Hastings located the vehicle and its occupants on Tyler Street off of East Wilton Road in Wilton.
Hamel, the driver of the vehicle “was placed under arrest when he assaulted his girlfriend in front of the officers,” Wilcox said.
The officers reported “Hamel was hallucinating and fought with the officers, repeatedly kicking and striking at both officers in the head and face,” Wilcox said and added, a “Taser was deployed multiple times with little to no effect.”
Additional officers responded from the Jay Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to help.
Both Hastings and Allen received minor injuries after they were hit and kicked by Hamel, Wilcox said.
At the time of the incident, Hamel was out on bail from previous arrests on charges of unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs and assault.
Among Saturday’s multiple charges was reckless conduct with a motor vehicle after it was reported that Hamel had nearly struck bystanders in front of his home and a man’s dog.
Several homeowners were concerned as the yards that were damaged often have children playing in them, Wilcox said.
Both Allen and Hastings were able to return to duty.
I hope he is required to get some help before they just let him out of jail if he was hallucinating and posing that much risk to the homeowners whose yards he sped through.