Cops: Pa. Man Bites, Kicks Officer After Drunken Crash

A Pennsylvania man bit and kicked an officer after driving drunk with an open can of beer in his car when he was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck last week, Hackettstown Police said.

William Dickinson, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., was charged with assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, being an unlicensed driver, having an open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated in a school zone, refusal to submit to an Alcotest, refusal to provide fingerprints and aggravated assault on a police officer.

According to Sgt. Darren Tynan, officers responded to the area of Grand Avenue and Mountain View Drive for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at about 2:30 p.m. on April 29.

An investigation determined Dickinson was traveling southbound on Grand Avenue and his 1997 Saturn crossed the double-yellow lines and collided with a 2010 Nissan driven by Amanda Ciesla, 24, and a 2007 Saturn driving by Wanda Maltese, 65, of Andover, Tynan said.

The passenger in Dickinson's vehicle complained of head pain, but refused medical attention, Tynan said.

The officer detected the odor of alcohol coming from Dickinson, who later failed field sobriety tests, Tynan said. The officer also observed an open container of Natural Ice beer on the floor and an open duffel bag filled with ice and unopened cans of beer, according to Tynan.

Dickinson was transported to police headquarters where he was uncooperative and kicked and bit an officer, Tynan said. The officer was treated at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and released.

Dickinson was lodged in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.