A 39-year-old man pleaded not guilty Monday to attacking an Orange County sheriff’s deputy following a traffic collision in Lake Forest.
Jon Michael Williams is charged with one count each of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, resisting arrest and battery on a peace officer, all felonies, as well as one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of a drug, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run with property damage and possession of a switch blade.
Williams, who entered his plea in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana, was ordered to return to court Jan. 25 for a pretrial hearing in the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
A deputy on his way to work Thursday at 4:52 a.m. spotted a traffic collision at El Toro Road and Portola Parkway and stopped to help , said Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Breckner.
Williams was refusing to remain on scene or exchange information with the other driver, so the deputy identified himself to the defendant and advised him he had to remain on scene, the sergeant said.
Williams, who was still in his vehicle, allegedly struck the deputy in the head multiple times — with his keys in his hand, Breckner said. He then allegedly drove off, but was caught a short distance away, Breckner said.
The deputy went to a local hospital to be checked out for minor cuts and bruises, he said.
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