Rochester Motorist Accused of Running Down Man in Vehicle

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing a felony charge for an alleged vehicle assault. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. 

Rochester police responded to multiple reports of erratic driving near a northwest Rochester home shortly before 9:00 Thursday night. 

22-Year-Old Rochester Man Charged with 2nd-Degree Assault for Incident with Vehicle

22-year-old Stephen John Hameister is charged with one count of second-degree assault. 

The complaint says the victim drove to Hameister’s home to speak with a woman who was there. While sitting in his parked vehicle, the victim stated that someone had thrown an object at his vehicle. 

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He told police he accelerated away from the area and struck a trailer as he was leaving. Multiple vehicles, including a truck driven by Hameister, followed him, the complaint states. 

The vehicles eventually cornered the victim and Hameister pulled up alongside him and yelled at him. Hameister drove away and the victim got out when Hameister turned around and drove at the victim, according to the court document. 

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He told police he got back inside of his vehicle moments before Hameister struck the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. Video footage showed the victim quickly getting into his vehicle shortly before the collision, the complaint says.

Police Interview Hameister

In an interview with police, Hameister said he thought he saw the victim with a gun and that he also thought the victim clipped the bumper of his vehicle. 

He also admitted to pursuing the victim to confront him and claimed he hit the victim’s vehicle to avoid striking a pedestrian, however no pedestrian was seen on the video, the court document states. 

Hameister was released without bail following his first court appearance on Monday. He’s due back in court next month.