Holly MatkinHarrisburg, PA – Six Pennsylvania state troopers were nearly run down by a suspect outside the Scottish Rite Cathedral fraternal organization on Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
The incident occurred on 3rd Street as the six troopers were walking in the crosswalk towards the building for a promotional exam shortly after 3 p.m., WPMT reported.
The suspect, later identified as 45-yearold Kimani Crummel, was traveling southbound in his 2002 Ford Escape when he spotted the troopers heading into the building, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) told WHTM.
Police said Crummel momentarily brought the SUV to a stop before stomping on the gas and accelerating towards the group at a high rate of speed.
The suspect drove off the roadway and onto the grass while attempting to run over the troopers, but they managed to dive out of the way and avoided being hit, according to the Associated Press.
The troopers were all wearing business attire and were not in uniform at the time of the attack.
Crummel was arrested shortly after the incident, WHTM reported.
According to court records, Crummel allegedly told investigators he drank alcohol, smoked marijuana, and took medication prior to getting behind the wheel that afternoon, according to The Morning Call.
He also allegedly asked who his six intended targets were, police said.
“When the trooper advised who they were, the defendant stated he thought they were Harrisburg city officials,” court records said.
The motive for the attack is unknown.
Crummel has been charged with multiple offenses, including reckless driving, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and six counts of recklessly endangering another person, according to the Daily Voice.
He was booked into the Dauphin County Prison on $150,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 29, The Morning Call reported.
