Drunk driver hits striking Verizon worker, police say
A Florida man is accused of driving while drunk and hitting a picketing Verizon worker in Westborough Thursday morning, according to Westborough police.
George Pulling, 55, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (a vehicle), driving under the influence (fourth offense), and operating a motor vehicle without a license, police said.
Around 8:20 a.m., police were stationed at the Extended Stay Hotel on Main Street, assisting replacement workers as they drove through a group of about 80 picketing Verizon employees. Police said they were escorting Pulling’s pickup truck through the line of strikers as the group screamed at him. That’s when Pulling allegedly accelerated and hit one of the picketers. The mirror of his truck also struck an officer at the scene, according to police.
The picketer, a 47-year-old man from Roslindale, remained on the hood of Pulling’s pickup as he drove up a ramp onto Route 9, police said. When Pulling came to a stop, the man was tossed onto the road, leading him to sustain injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening, according to police. He was transported to UMass Medical Center for treatment.
Pulling was arraigned in Westborough District Court Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was held on $50,000 bail, according to The Boston Globe.
He is expected back in court June 2.
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