CHIPPEWA FALLS — A 20-year-old Chippewa Falls man accused of intentionally ramming his car into another vehicle, then fleeing the scene, has now been charged.
Jonathin C. Benson McNulty, 4401 Highway P, was charged Tuesday in Chippewa County Court with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. Benson McNulty was previously released on a signature bond; he will return to court June 17 before Judge Steve Gibbs.
Benson McNulty also was cited for “unreasonable and imprudent speed” and failure to notify police of an accident.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred May 3 in Chippewa Falls. Two victims told police that they were driving on the city’s West Hill and came across Benson McNulty’s vehicle; they knew him from prior interactions.
The victims said “Benson McNulty began following them closely through the downtown business area, yelling at them, and calling them multiple profanities,” the criminal complaint reads. “[The victim] turned onto southbound Highway 124 and Benson McNulty followed them. He later admitted to speeding to try and get away from Benson McNulty, as he was scared and did not know if Benson McNulty was going to harm him. While on Park Ave, Benson McNulty accelerated rapidly, intentionally struck the back side of their vehicle, and turned onto a side road. Both believed Benson McNulty tried to conduct a PIT maneuver [to intentionally cause a spin-out] on their vehicle.”
The passenger in the car had recorded the incident and provided it to the officer. The officer reviewed the footage, and observed the damage to the side of the victim’s car.
The officer “made contact with Benson McNulty, who denied being involved in a crash even when told there was video of the incident,” the complaint reads. “When he saw the video, Benson McNulty stated he was upset at [the victims] because they were throwing items at him, which had been an ongoing issue.”
Benson McNulty then admitted to intentionally striking the vehicle. During the interview with the officer, “Benson McNulty grew upset and stated he would continue to retaliate against [the victims] due to them harassing him.”
The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office sought a $1,500 cash bond, but Gibbs set the signature bond. As terms of Benson McNulty’s release, he cannot have any contact with either victim, he cannot be physically or verbally abusive towards anyone, and he must follow all pre-trial monitoring conditions.
Online court records show that Benson McNulty has previously been cited for underage consumption of alcohol, driving while suspended, failure to wear a seatbelt, and speeding.