Sept. 04 -- WORCESTER, MA -- A city man was arrested Sunday after police say he drove his car at and struck a firefighter responding to a report that the man was passed out at the wheel.
According to a Police Department news release, firefighters were sent to the area of 765 Main St. around 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of an unconscious man in the driver's seat of a car.
Two firefighters approached a man inside a blue Toyota Camry, police said, and the man woke up, saw them and drove directly at them.
"In fear for their lives, the two firefighters jumped out of the way, but one of them was struck by the side of the car," police said, adding that the driver continued down Hermon Street toward Main Street.
Police said they subsequently found the man, 29-year-old Kristopher Nater, outside the Camry on Main Street. They said Mr. Nater, of 14 Tower St. Apt. 1, did not have a license and was the subject of an arrest warrant, the charges for which they did not specify.
Mr. Nater was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle), hindering a firefighter in the performance of duty, driving to endanger and driving with a suspended license.
Police did not say in the news release whether the firefighter struck was injured. Both firefighters spoke with police when they arrived, the release indicates.
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