BELCHERTOWN — A Pittsfield delivery driver has denied hitting a man shoveling the sidewalk outside of an area doughnut shop with his van late last year.
Ian Ferro, 62, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday.
Hadley Police were called to Donut Man, on Russell Street, on Dec. 12, 2016 for a report of an assault. Upon arrival, an officer spotted a Donut Man delivery truck — thought to be the suspect’s vehicle — exiting the parking lot, according to a report written by Officer Daniel Fernandes.
One officer went after the van while another questioned the alleged victim. That man, Robert Waskiewicz, told the officer that he was clearing the sidewalk at Donut Man when the delivery van arrived, according to Fernandes.
“It was at this point that (Waskiewicz) asked what the driver was doing on the sidewalk,” the officer wrote.
Ferro then allegedly yelled at Waskiewicz, saying that he delivered there daily and follows the same routine each day, according to the report.
“According to (Waskiewicz), Ferro became very agitated and pushed him, after doing so he got back into his van,” Fernandes wrote. “Once in his van Ferro pulled towards (Waskiewicz) striking him with the van.”
Fernandes wrote that Ferro — who police later caught up with — said that he needed to make the delivery and the “shovel guy” would not move.
“He continued stating that he would just go to court, but he has to leave so he can get back home,” Fernandes wrote.
The report does not indicate whether Waskiewicz suffered any injuries.
Following his arraignment Tuesday morning, Ferro was released on the condition that he stay away from Waskiewicz. He remains allowed to make deliveries to the Donut Man, according to court documents.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.