Clinton Township driver faces $1 million bond after patrol car collision
The 61-year-old man was arraigned on multiple charges following an incident on Oct. 26 where his vehicle struck officers who were still inside their cruiser.
By Lauren Bello ·
A local resident was ordered to post one million dollars to secure his release pending trial.
The case began on Oct. 26 when Fraser Public Safety units responded to a report of a hit-and-run and fleeing vehicle. Officers located the car on Kelly Road near Groesbeck and moved to stop it. According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, Gaspare Cracchiolo, 61, allegedly steered his vehicle into the driver’s side of the patrol car while the officers were seated inside. The impact reportedly caused arm and knee pain for one officer, and back and leg pain for the second. The officers exited through the passenger side and ordered the driver to stop. Cracchiolo then reversed out of the parking lot and sped away, triggering a chase that ended after several miles when the car overturned into a retention pond near Groesbeck and 11 Mile Road.
Cracchiolo was arraigned on Wednesday. He now faces two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Additional charges include one count of third-degree fleeing a police officer, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of assaulting, resisting or obstructing an officer while causing injury. He also faces one count of operating while intoxicated or impaired and one count of driving with a suspended, revoked, or denied license. The prosecutor’s office lists him as a fourth-offense habitual offender.
If Cracchiolo posts the full bond amount, he will be subject to specific conditions. He must wear a GPS tether and is prohibited from consuming alcohol or drugs. He must also submit to random drug tests as directed by the court.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido commented on the case in a statement. “Public safety is our top priority. We must protect those who put their lives on the line to protect us and ensure that anyone who threatens the safety of our community is held accountable,” Lucido said.
The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 13 for a probable cause conference.
