Man accused of fighting with shoppers, kicking trooper outside Walmart in Hempfield

A Greensburg man is accused of getting into two fights and kicking a state trooper after being yelled at by shoppers for driving erratically and speeding through the parking lot of the Walmart in Hempfield.

David C. Wisniewski, 30, was arraigned on 18 criminal counts, including aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence of alcohol, ethnic intimidation, terroristic threats, public drunkenness, reckless endangerment and multiple traffic violations. He was ordered held in the county prison after failing to post $50,000 bond.

Trooper David Vinkler said troopers were dispatched to the parking lot of the Walmart at Greengate Centre about 4 p.m. Sunday after complaints that Wisniewski was driving erratically and speeding in his 2000 Honda Civic through the parking lot.

When a customer who was returning to his car pushing an infant stroller yelled at Wisniewski “to slow down,” Vinkler said Wisniewski became angry, turned his car around, got out of his vehicle and began arguing with the man.

Wisniewski is accused of grabbing the man’s empty stroller as he was putting it back in his car “and repeatedly striking the victim’s car.” According to police reports, Wisniewski also repeatedly punched and yelled racial epithets at the man, who is Black.

Wisniewski is accused of assaulting a second bystander who was attempting to restrain him until troopers arrived.

Troopers took Wisniewski into custody and placed him in handcuffs, but he continued to resist, Vinkler said.

Wisniewski is accused of kicking one trooper in the face and chest as he was put in the restraints.

Vinkler said Wisniewski refused a blood draw at Excela Health Westmoreland hospital in Greensburg and continued to be combative, “yelling and attempting to spit” on troopers.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 4.