A man is facing charges in Sharp County after allegedly striking a child with his vehicle while intoxicated.
According to the report, on May 12, Deputy Bobby Glenn was dispatched to a residence in rural Sharp County for a report of a man who was intoxicated and trying to leave a residence in a vehicle.
While in route, Glenn was notified the man, later identified as 29-year-old Quint William Wickett, had struck a child with this vehicle.
After striking a tree and then the child, Wickett reportedly exited his vehicle, when witnesses tried to prevent him from leaving.
Witnesses stated Wickett attempted to fight prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
When Glenn arrived on scene, he noted multiple people standing out near the roadway and Wickett sitting in the passenger seat of a small white car with a bloodied mouth smelling strongly of intoxicants.
Wickett was restrained after he had attempted to move about the scene stumbling in the process.
When Deputy Tye Baxter arrived on scene, Wickett was placed in the rear of Glenn’s patrol unit.
Baxter entered Wickett’s vehicle to retrieve his driver’s license and spotted an open container of alcohol which was placed in evidence.
Wickett’s identification was from Florida and after running his information through the system, it was discovered Wickett did not possess a valid driver’s license.
According to the property owner and father of the child who had been hit by Wickett, the incident occurred after Wickett came to the property and was told to leave. In the process of leaving, he backed into a tree, stopped and then pulled forward striking the child.
After calling for first responders and an ambulance, the child was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries. She was able later to return home to her family to recover.
Wickett was transported to the Sharp County Jail where he became uncooperative with officer requests refusing to sign paperwork and undergo a sobriety test.
Wickett then stated he wanted to press charges for assault as it was determined his bloodied lip came as a result of an altercation after striking the child with the vehicle he was driving.
As a result, Wickett has been charged with aggravated assault, battery in the third degree, driving or boating while intoxicated, refusal to submit to chemical test, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and driver’s license required.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
