Crime & Safety

Police: Mason Tried to Run Co-Worker Down

Lower Saucon Township police say William Ruth Jr. attempted to strike a co-worker with his vehicle following an argument Oct. 1.

A Fountain Hill man is behind bars following an alleged incident on Apple Street in Lower Saucon Township Saturday morning, Lower Saucon Township police announced today.

According to police, William Ruth Jr. and two other men were in the 2300 block of Apple Street doing masonry work when Ruth was given "verbal direction" by one of the other men, who police identified as David Nuno.

At that point, "Ruth 'flipped out' and threw a bucket and mortar pan into Apple Street, (and) then 'stormed off' to his vehicle," police said.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A third worker, Ronald Gates, went into the roadway to clean up the bucket and mortar pan, and he was still there when Ruth turned from a dirt lane onto Apple Street and began driving directly at him, police said.

According to police, Ruth missed striking Gates--who jumped out of the way--by only a foot, and then turned around before attempting to strike him again.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During his second attempt to strike Gates police say Ruth "floored it" and drove across the double yellow line on Apple Street, before leaving the scene and driving west in the direction of his home.

Once again, Gates was able to avoid being hit, police said. 

Ruth was later arrested at his home in the 800 block of Seneca Street and was arraigned before District Justice Daniel Corpora on charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving, police said.

He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight bail, they added.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.