PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A Prestonsburg man was arrested after police say he tried to drive through an active scene, then threatened and assaulted first responders when he was stopped.

The Prestonsburg Fire Department was called Tuesday afternoon to a car fire at Speedway on North Lake Drive.

While they were dealing with the fire, they say 80-year-old Gary Beverly attempted to drive through the scene. When he was told he couldn’t drive through because it was an emergency scene, the police report alleges he began driving his car toward paramedic Jessica Spradlin and said he would run her over.

About that time, Prestonsburg Police Det. Dennis Hutchinson arrived on the scene and parked behind Beverly. After being briefed on the situation, Hutchinson went to tell to Beverly he needed to leave the area. The police report says Beverly was hostile and refused to leave.

Hutchinson then ordered Beverly out of the car and opened his door, but Beverly grabbed Hutchinson’s shirt and began backing up his car while still holding on to him. Hutchinson began punching Beverly to force him to let go, after which Beverly crashed into Hutchinson’s vehicle.

Beverly was then removed from the car and placed under arrest with help from firefighters. He now faces felony charges of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer and third-degree assault of a police officer, along with five lesser charges.