WARWICK – Mayor Michael Newhard of Warwick was injured late Saturday afternoon when he attempted to assist a man who kept falling down as he walked to his vehicle in the CVS parking lot on Main Street.
Police said the man got into his pickup truck as the mayor attempted to stop him from driving away and was able to take away his keys, but the man retrieved a spare set and started the ignition.
As Newhard attempted to stop him again, the man drove off dragging the mayor through the parking lot while striking six parked cars.
A US Parks police officer, who was in the parking lot at the same time, broke the window out and stopped the truck while handcuffing the driver until Warwick Police arrived.
The man was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital emergency room for evaluation and testing. The mayor was also treated for his injuries and released later that night.
Police said charges are pending against the driver.
The investigation is continuing with assistance from the State Police crime lab and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
