A Richmond man is facing charges of assaulting a police officer and strangulation after he allegedly hit a man with his SUV on Hager Drive.
Kentucky State Police say the incident happened just before 9 Friday night. That’s when an SUV driven by Tony Malicote, 39, reportedly hit a pedestrian then fled the scene. The victim said the vehicle had not come back out of the dead-end road.
Officers found a vehicle with some minor damage, including a missing mirror, the same mirror that was found where the victim was reportedly struck. The victim later positively identified the vehicle, which troopers found was registered to Malicote.
During the interview with Malicote, troopers say Malicote told them he had been home alone for a few hours and had not hit anyone., but according to the citation, troopers say the engine was still warm on the vehicle.
When troopers attempted to arrest Malicote they say he became combative. While attempting to handcuff Malicote he reportedly told them they would have to “kill him,” and he attempted to choke one of the officers.
Malicote was charged with:
First-degree strangulation
Third-degree assault of a police officer
Resisting arrest
Leaving the scene of an accident
Second-degree assault
