A Cortland man spent part of Wednesday in the Trumbull County Jail after Bazetta Township police say he nearly ran over one of their officers and a worker in a construction zone.

Fifty-seven-year-old Kenneth Hillier appeared on video arraignment Wednesday, pleading “not guilty” to charges of DUI, resisting arrest, criminal damaging, and failing to approach an emergency vehicle with caution.

Hillier is accused of nearly running over a flagger working at a construction site along State Route 5 and Warren Meadville Road Tuesday night.

The flagger says he jumped out of the path of Hillier’s truck, which then ran over four or five traffic cones.

An officer working in the construction zone says after he pulled the truck over, Hillier became agitated, placing the pickup in reverse, forcing the officer to jump back to avoid being hit.

Police say after Hillier refused to get out of the truck, another officer arrived and helped pull Hillier to the ground and handcuffed him.

According to the Police report, the officer claims he could smell alcohol on Hillier’s breath who refused to undergo a sobriety test or take a breath test. Hillier admitted having a beer, say police.

One in the cruiser, Hillier kicked the doors, yelling “Take that badge off and you ain't so tough!" according to the police.

Hillier was freed from jail on bond and awaits another yet unscheduled court hearing.