Man Charged With Assault For Throwing Ice Coffee at Firefighter

Posted by: Curt Varone August 23, 2012 3 Comments

A Connecticut man was charged with assault after throwing a cup of ice coffee at a deputy fire chief over a dispute at a traffic accident.

Glastonbury police and fire were at the scene of a motorcycle accident Monday when a vehicle driven by Mark Duell, 27, of East Hartford, approached the scene and attempted to pass. He was stopped by Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Motowidlak, who allegedly banged on Duell’s vehicle and told him to stop.

Duell became so enraged that he cursed at Chief Motowidlak, and complained to police officers at the scene. When he was told to back up and not permitted to drive through the scene he threw a cup of ice coffee at Chief Motowidlak. The chief was struck on the leg.

Duell was arrested a short time later, and charged with assault on emergency personnel. More on the story.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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