Spitting on First Responders Adds Assault Charges
Brian Hayes, a 35-year-old resident of Toledo, Ohio, was arrested for drunk driving and causing a crash in Hillsdale, Michigan just days ago. He is facing a number of charges as a result. But while that’s unfortunately not news in-and-of-itself, what was different about this situation is the fact that Hayes’ charges are not just drunk driving related. Apparently he is also facing charges for spitting on and threatening the first responders at the scene.
According to court records, Hayes was involved in a car crash on M-99 in Hillsdale. First on the scene were two Michigan State Police officers, Trooper Jeffery Duttlinger and Trooper Stephen Kingsley. Having administered a roadside sobriety test to determine whether or not Hayes was intoxicated, the officers arrested and restrained him.
While restrained, however, Hayes attempted to ingest a substance that would allegedly alter his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). One can only assume that he did this in an attempt to foil the test, hoping that a reduced BAC reading might negate possible drunk driving charges. Troopers administered a Breathalyzer test and the results were .13, which is higher than Michigan’s .08 threshold for drunk drivers.
During this interaction, however, Hayes became frustrated with the troopers. He spat on Trooper Duttlinger, and then threatened to also spit on Trooper Kingsley. Later, after being transported to the nearest hospital to have his injuries tended, Hayes also threatened to harm a nurse. Jessica Wright, a registered nurse, was administering Hayes’ required medical intake examination at Hillsdale County Health Center at the time of his alleged threats.
As a result of the evening’s incidents, Hayes is facing a number of charges. He is charged with operating while intoxicated, first offense, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a possible fine of $500. But this is the least of his worries.
Having spat on and threatened three of the first responders, he is also charged with three counts of assaulting an officer/resisting and obstructing. Under Michigan law, this is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and possible fines of $2,000. Also, he is charged with obstructing justice for having attempted to adulterate his blood test results. Under state law this is also a felony and is punishable by a five years prison sentence and fines of up to $10,000.
Hayes was arraigned in the Hillsdale County Circuit Court, where the judge ordered him held on a $20,000 ten percent cash or surety bond. His probable cause conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th, with the preliminary exam to follow a week later.
