Fayetteville police say a drunk man ran over a pedestrian and struck two vehicles New Year’s Eve after leaving the Hog Haus parking lot on Dickson Street.
Steven Hicks, 24, was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of felony aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an injury accident, violating parole, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to turn on lights. He remained Wednesday afternoon in the Washington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers saw a gray Dodge Caravan driving out of the Hog Haus brewery parking lot, when it accelerated rapidly and struck a taxi cab, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
After striking the taxi, the van pushed the cab several feet before driving north on West Avenue, police said. The van then collided with a second vehicle before continuing north, with its headlights off, while speeding, according to the preliminary report.
Eyewitnesses told police the van ran over a man in the parking lot. The alleged victim, who had ripped jeans and swelling to his left leg, told police Hicks, the driver, got into a fight at the location before getting into the van and driving off, the report states.
Officers later located the suspect on Martin Luther King Boulevard and arrested him, police said. Hicks denied hitting the pedestrian, but admitted to striking several vehicles, according to Fayetteville police.
Hicks failed a field sobriety test and was arrested by Fayetteville police.
"We get a bad reputation, because it's not the first person that has pulled in and out of Hog Haus parking lot and either come close to striking somebody or have struck someone," said Hog Haus Manager Julie Sill.
Sill said the parking lot is private and meant for employees only. She said it is not unusual for careless drivers to speed through her parking lot.
"If one comes empty at any given time, people think, oh my goodness, I found a spot," Sill said. "And they think it's free parking because there's no numbers, even though there are signs saying private parking only."
George Hudson said Dickson Street is often packed with pedestrians.
"It's an extremely lively atmosphere," Hudson said. "People are walking around all the time."
Bryan Dicks said the New Year Eve's incident could have been prevented.
"There's always taxis parked there," Dicks said. "If you are too drunk to drive home, you should not be driving. You should always come out with a plan and always come out and have some backup and have somebody there to take care of you."