One man was hospitalized in serious condition and another was charged with two felonies as the result of an alleged confrontation behind the Wiscasset Municipal Building the morning of July 10.
Responding to a call of a man down, Wiscasset Police Officer Perry Hatch responded to the parking lot of the Wiscasset Municipal Building at approximately 9:25 a.m. and found Michael Hanna, 38, of Damariscotta on the pavement and bleeding, according to a department press release.
Witnesses at the scene reported an altercation between two male subjects, and Hanna allegedly was in a physical fight with the operator of another vehicle and then was dragged by the suspect’s vehicle and sustained serious injuries, according to the release.
Hanna was transported to Maine Medical Center by Wiscasset Ambulance Service for his injuries, where he was listed in serious condition on July 10. Hanna was listed in satisfactory condition as of July 16, according to Maine Medical Center personnel.
The second man allegedly involved in the incident, James “BJ” Fitzpatrick, 63, of Bristol, was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, both Class C felonies, following an interview with Police Chief Troy Cline on July 11, according to a second press release.
The investigation is on-going and more charges related to the incident could be filed at a later date, according to the release.
Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Parker’s office has windows that face the parking lot where the confrontation allegedly occurred, and though she didn’t witness it, she did see a vehicle drive “very fast” through the parking lot.
“A car going that fast through the municipal parking lot is definitely something that grabs your attention,” she said.
“Right before that happened, there was also somebody slamming on their horn outside and then a car drove by very fast,” Parker said. She described the vehicle as a light-colored car that drove through the lot from the Churchill Street end toward Gardiner Road.
After the car drove through, Parker saw another vehicle backing up in the lot.
“Myself and [Code Enforcement Officer] Bruce Engert went outside to see if there was an issue and there was a woman who got out of her car and said, ‘That car just hit that man,'” Parker said.
Parker saw Hanna on the ground, went back into the building to find a paramedic, and was told someone was already out assisting him. Parker said there were several people already assisting Hanna when she went back outside.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have information are asked to contact the Wiscasset Police Department at 882-8202 or Lincoln County Communications at 882-7332.
