Fredericktown man to stand trial
A Fredericktown man who police allege ran down a state police trooper with his pickup truck during an incident in Bentleyville, Washington County, will stand trial.
State police said Arnold J. Frankie, 62, of 165 Barney’s Run Road, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and single counts of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, fleeing or eluding police and three traffic violations.
Magisterial District Judge Curtis Thompson held all charges against Frankie for court following a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
Trooper Matthew P. Gavrish said the charges were filed after Frankie struck Trooper Heather Gonglik, who works out of the Belle Vernon station, while she was securing a vehicle crash scene on South Main Street around 6 p.m. April 3.
Gavrish said that Frankie failed to stop for Gonglik as he approached the accident scene in his pickup truck and, later, after he did stop, refused to obey commands by Gonglik and attempted to drive from the scene.
While accelerating his truck, Gavrish said that Frankie struck Gonglik with the vehicle, knocking her to the ground.
Gonglik chased the pickup truck for more than half a mile before Frankie stopped again. Gavrish said Frankie was then taken into custody without incident.
Gonglik was treated at a local hospital, Gavrish said.
Frankie was initially placed in Washington County Prison on $150,000 straight cash bond but has since posted bail.