Fort Thomas Man Charged After Crashing Vehicle Into Front Yard

Fort Thomas Police officers take Eric Hancock into custody after he crashed his work van into a front yard on June 12. FTM file. 

Eric M. Hancock, 40 from Fort Thomas, was arrested yesterday after smashing into a parked vehicle driving west down Highland Avenue, before striking a tree and bus stop sign. He lost his front right tire from those collisions and his vehicle came to rest about ten feet from a home on the corner of Highland Avenue and Mayfield Avenue, which is also the entrance to Highland Park in Fort Thomas.

This took place at 10:45 a.m. in a highly trafficked area of Fort Thomas.

RELATED: Driver Arrested After Crashing Work Vehicle on Highland Avenue, Charges Await 

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He was charged with multiple felonies, including his third DUI and wanton endangerment in the first degree. He was also charged with promoting contraband and possession of a controlled substance when Campbell County Detention Center officials discovered prescription medication on him as they were processing him into the jail.

Eric M. Hancock, 40 from Fort Thomas. Campbell County Detention Center. 

His DUI charge is aggravated because he refused a blood test. Hancock was given a field sobriety test on the scene.

Neighbors who witnessed Hancock just after the crash said they saw Hancock crawling under a bush on his hands and knees. Fort Thomas Matters was the only media outlet on scene and saw Lt. Jamey Gadzala recover hypodermic needles under that same bush, which are used for injecting narcotics.

"We were lucky that no one was walking along that stretch of sidewalk," said Lt. Rich Whitford. "It's a block down from an elementary school and directly at the entrance of a park where many families walk. It could have been a tragedy and is something we will not tolerate in Fort Thomas."

Along with Gadzala, Sgt. Chris Carpenter and Ofc. Zac Rohlfer of the Fort Thomas Police Department investigated and processed the scene. 

Hancock's work vehicle is in the background. FTM file.