'Belligerent' Bedford Man Arrested After Driver, Doing 'Donuts,' Strikes Pedestrian

A 29-year-old Bedford man was booked last weekend after Manchester Police responded to a reported conflict at a Queen City Skate Park.

According to Manchester Police, Brandon LaChance of Bedford was arrested on Sunday, March 24, after a nearby officer responded to a man pointing out a vehicle leaving a parking lot at 71 Maple Street that had reportedly been driving erratically and struck him in the leg.

The vehicle was stopped by police at a nearby intersection and the driver, Philip Cote, 26, of Manchester, was soon arrested.

The victim, according to the Manchester Police report, was approaching Cote and LaChance as they entered their vehicle to discuss an alleged dispute between the pair and the man's 15-year-old son.

Cote reportedly got into the driver's seat of the vehicle and began to operate it erratically in the parking lot, doing what was described as 'donuts' as the teen's father tried to flag them down. That's when the vehicle reportedly made contact with the man, striking him in the knee and shin, where he sustained minor injuries. He also had a minor cut to his hand as a result of his contact with the vehicle.

Cote's vehicle reportedly exhibited fresh hand prints on the hood and scud marks to the bumper in the area where the vehicle reportedly made contact with the man. Based on further investigation, Cote was arrested and charged with reckless conduct; conduct after and accident and operating under the influence of liquor.

During the course of the motor vehicle stop and investigation into the dispute, LaChance allegedly became increasingly belligerent, yelling at witnesses, causing a disturbance and interfering with the officer's ability to investigate the incident. He was placed under arrest when he refused repeated instructions to stop and charged with disorderly conduct.

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