ASHLAND, Maine — A 21-year-old man from Ashland is facing a range of charges after allegedly assaulting fire fighters in the course of trying to drive past the Ashland Days Parade Saturday.
According to Ashland Police officer Laney Merchant, Cody Durand attempted to drive through the Ashland Days Parade around 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
While driving a 2003 Chevy Impala around the parade, Durand allegedly struck a member of the Ashland Fire Department who was on foot and attempting to stop him.
“Emergency responders were attempting to stop the vehicle because it was creating a substantial risk of serious injury to parade participants and attendees,” Merchant said.
Other emergency responders were successful in stopping Durand’s vehicle and taking the keys from him as Merchant and Trooper Timmy Saucier caught up with the vehicle at the intersection of Main and Station streets.
In the course of stopping the car, another Ashland Fire Department member was allegedly assaulted by Durand, Merchant said.
Durand resisted being arrested while still in the vehicle, and members of the Ashland Fire Department and Ambulance Service helped police officers place Durand in handcuffs and leg restraints, according to Merchant.
Durand was taken to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where he was booked with a felony charge of reckless conduct with a motor vehicle and misdemeanor charges of assault, driving to endanger and refusing to submit to arrest, according to Merchant. Bail was set at $5,000.
