Man charged after alleged Fraser police cruiser ramming
A 61-year-old man faces eight felony charges after prosecutors say he rammed a police cruiser, injuring two Fraser officers, then fled.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office identified him as Gaspare Cracchiolo, of Clinton Township. Fraser Public Safety officers tried to stop his vehicle Oct. 26 behind a business on Kelly Road near Groesbeck Highway after receiving information linking it to a hit-and-run and fleeing incident.
Prosecutors allege Cracchiolo deliberately drove into the cruiser’s driver’s side door while both officers were inside. Their injuries were described as minor. One reported arm and knee pain, while the other reported back and leg pain.
The officers climbed out through the passenger-side door and ordered him to stop. He allegedly backed out of the parking lot and fled.
Other Fraser officers located him and pursued him for several miles. Prosecutors say he lost control and overturned his vehicle into a retention pond near Groesbeck Highway and 11 Mile Road in Warren. He was arrested after being medically cleared.
Cracchiolo was arraigned Oct. 28 before Judge Joseph F. Boedeker in 39th District Court in Roseville. His felony charges include two counts each of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assaulting, resisting or obstructing an officer causing injury. He also faces third-degree fleeing and eluding and malicious destruction of police property charges.
The misdemeanor charges involve operating while intoxicated or impaired, driving with a suspended, revoked or denied license and unlawful use of a license plate, registration or title. Prosecutors filed second-offense notices on the impaired-driving and license charges and a fourth-offense habitual-offender notice that could affect sentencing if he is convicted.
Bond was set at $1 million cash or surety, with no 10% option. If released, he must wear a GPS tether, avoid drugs and alcohol and submit to random drug testing.
“Public safety is our top priority,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 13 before Boedeker. The charges remain allegations, and Cracchiolo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Benefits for officers injured in an intentional vehicle collision
An on-duty police officer may qualify for workers’ compensation when an injury arises out of and in the course of employment. Benefits can include necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation and wage replacement, subject to eligibility requirements.
Another driver’s intentional act doesn’t automatically bar the injured officer from no-fault benefits. Under MCL 500.3105, an injury is generally accidental for no-fault purposes unless the injured person intentionally caused or suffered it. Coverage also requires a qualifying connection to the use of a motor vehicle as a motor vehicle.
Workers’ compensation benefits paid or required by law generally reduce otherwise payable no-fault benefits for the same loss under MCL 500.3109. Michigan Legal Center’s explanation of car accidents while working in Michigan discusses why these separate claims need to be coordinated.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles car accident, no-fault and work injury claims. If you were injured in a vehicle collision while working, contact Michigan Legal Center to ask about available benefits and whether Michigan Legal Center can help.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.