by MARY MUSIC
Staff Writer

PRESTONSBURG — A Hi Hat resident accused rear-ending an off duty vehicle enforcement officer pleaded not guilty to wanton endangerment charges from that alleged incident, according to documents filed yesterday in circuit court.
Daniel K. Hatfield, 27, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Friday to four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, charges that were taken out against him by Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officer Thomas Gearheart.
Gearheart claims Hatfield rammed the back of his vehicle, doing $1,200 worth in damages, then “ran” from the scene in order to avoid prosecution.
During an interview yesterday, Gearheart said he was driving his wife’s car Dec. 7 through Minnie when Hatfield rear-ended him at the intersection of Route 680 and Route 122.
“He hit me in the rear when I stopped at an intersection,” Gearheart said. “As I exited the vehicle, I heard him squealing his tires trying to drive by me and leave the scene.”
Gearheart, who was standing near his vehicle, alleges that Hatfield nearly hit him when he passed by. He said that he chased Hatfield, who registered speeds of approximately 90 miles an hour, for several miles before catching up with him.
Following an investigation into the accident, KSP trooper Randy McCarty charged Hatfield with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating on a suspended license, no insurance and leaving the scene of an accident, charges which are currently pending in Floyd District Court.
Gearheart said he proceeded with the case following the KSP investigation into the accident by taking out a criminal complaint against Hatfield for four counts of wanton endangerment, felony charges for which Hatfield was indicted last month.
Three juveniles who passengers in Hatfield’s vehicle were put in substantial danger, Gearheart said, during the incident.
No injuries were reported in the accident. Gearheart said he suffered lower back pain following the accident, but that tests at a local emergency room determined no injuries.
In addition to the current charges, Hatfield has seen numerous alcohol-related charges brought against him. Court documents indicate that he pleaded guilty to alcohol intoxication and was sentenced to a 30-day probated sentence in district court on Monday. He was arraigned on that charge one day after the alleged accident with Gearheart. Hatfield is also currently paying fines for several offenses against him, including one handed down in June 2003 for driving without insurance, registration plates or receipts, and another in September, when he was found guilty of alcohol intoxication.
His criminal history record also includes a charge of first-degree promoting contraband from June, 1998. During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge, taken against him by former Deputy Jailer Carl Conley, and a pretrial conference was scheduled to be heard in the case in August 1998. No action, however, has been taken in the case since then.
“I guess he got drunk and hit the wrong one that day, which is bad luck on his part,” Gearheart said.
Hatfield, represented by public advocate Michael P. Studebaker, is scheduled for a jury trial in the KSP’s district court case in July. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference for the wanton endangerment charges on June 10.
Following the arraignment Friday, Circuit Judge John David Caudill placed Hatfield on a $20,000 partially-secured bond.