Uniontown man charged with injuring officer
A Uniontown man was charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly ran over a city police officer’s foot Monday night. Craig Anthony Howard, 36, of 70 Pershing Court was arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer and placed in Fayette County Prison after failing to post a $5,000 straight cash bond.
Police said Howard ran over the left foot of Patrolman John Kauer when the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Howard’s vehicle.
Kauer, according to a criminal complaint filed by Detective Donald M. Gmitter, spotted Howard’s vehicle driving through Pershing Court at a “high rate of speed” around 11:15 p.m.
Police said Kauer stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Pershing Court and Liberty Street and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Howard.
Kauer, according to the complaint, detected alcohol on Howard’s breath and asked the man to turn the vehicle off. Police said Howard turned the car off, but turned it back on as Kauer walked toward the rear of the car in order to look at the license plate.
The complaint states Kauer noticed the brake lights come on and ordered Howard to turn the car off again. Instead of complying, police said Howard put the car into drive and drove over Kauer’s foot in an attempt to flee the scene.
In the complaint, Gmitter said Kauer pursued Howard’s vehicle through the city. Gmitter said Howard failed to stop at several stop signs and eventually crashed into a telephone pole at the intersection of Coolspring and Cavanaugh Streets.
After crashing his vehicle, Howard fled on foot, police said, noting that Kauer chased the man and attempted to subdue him. Police said a physical altercation occurred and said Officer Ray Miller arrived to provide backup.
The complaint states substantial force had to be used in order to subdue Howard, who was eventually taken into custody.
Following the incident, Gmitter stated Kauer was taken by ambulance to Uniontown Hospital for treatment, where he was treated and released.
Gmitter said Howard was also examined at Uniontown Hospital for pain in his right shoulder that medical tests showed to be unfounded.
Howard allegedly told Gmitter he ran from Kauer because he already had a suspended license, the complaint states.
Patricia Harris, no address available, was a passenger in Harris’s vehicle. No charges have been filed against her.
In addition to the aggravated assault felony charge, Harris was also charged with simple assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and fleeing or attempting to elude police, in addition to other driving-related charges.
Howard’s preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday in front of Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair.