New Bedford man accused of OUI, trooper scuffle

Driver had open warrant on resisting-arrest charge

A 37-year-old suspected drunken driver was charged with assaulting a state trooper during a traffic stop in New Bedford and transported to an area hospital after he was arrested in the early morning hours yesterday.

State police said Diego Tiniguar Panjoj was driving a Dodge Neon on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford at 1:20 a.m. when he crossed over the center line and narrowly struck a cruiser patrolling the area.

The Neon sped off, and trooper Joshua Pacheco caught up with him when Panjoj turned into a residential driveway on Ashley Boulevard. The driver started making suspicious movements in the car, police said, and declined to show his hands upon request.

Pacheco walked up to the car and noticed the driver might be intoxicated. Pacheco started to speak with Panjoj, then Panjoj got out of the car and lunged at the trooper.

“Trooper Pacheco was able to fend off this initial assault,” police said in a statement. “After a significant struggle with this resistant and combative man, the trooper was eventually able to place him in custody.”

Panjoj was sent to St. Luke’s Hospital for minor injuries from his fight with the trooper. Pacheco was uninjured, police said.

Panjoj was booked at State Police Barracks in Dartmouth and charged with OUI, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, possession of an open container, assaulting a cop, resisting arrest, unlicensed operation of a car and a marked lanes violation.

He had an open warrant out from New Bedford District Court for resisting arrest, unlicensed operation of a car and failure to stop for police. He was held without bail and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in New Bedford District Court.