STARK COUNTY, Ohio — Two men are in custody after officials say their car rear-ended a Stark County Sheriff's cruiser on Tuesday morning.
According to a release from the sheriff's office, the incident occurred just after 7 a.m., when the cruiser was stopped at a red light on Middlebranch Avenue at Schneider Street Northeast in Plain Township (right by Warstler Elementary School). As the SUV sat still, it was struck from behind a 2017 Ford Focus, allegedly driven by 30-year-old Louisville resident Nickolas Hamilton.
Authorities say Hamilton tried to run away from the wreck, but was apprehended by deputies. He faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI) and driving with a suspended license, as well as failure to stop after an accident, possession of drug abuse instruments, and not maintaining assured cleared distance. In addition, 3News has confirmed he faces a number of other charges in Stark County, including a warrant for felony forgery out of Jackson Township in May.
Along with Hamilton, deputies also arrested 55-year-old passenger Robert Pinkerton, of Canton. Pinkerton is accused of obstructing justice and himself faces a number of warrants for alleged misdemeanor violations.
Per officials, both Hamilton and Pinkerton were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries and are now being held in the Stark County Jail. No injuries to deputies were reported.
"Thankfully, injuries sustained were not life-threatening. I am proud of our team's swift response in managing the situation effectively," Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier said in a statement. "We remain committed to upholding the safety of our roadways and this case serves as a crucial example of why our work is so important."
