COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A driver is accused of assaulting police and paramedics and later trying to bite hospital staff after fleeing the scene of a crash Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses called police about the hit-and-run accident on Powers near the Hancock Expressway, saying the driver was leaving the scene and was armed with a gun. When officers responded, they found the driver a short distance from the wreckage.

“The subject became violent and fought with officers and emergency medical personnel. The subject assaulted three officers and an AMR paramedic,” said a CSPD lieutenant.

Eventually, the police were able to apprehend the suspect and transported him to the hospital.

“He continued to be aggressive and tried to bite staff members at the hospital,” the lieutenant said.

A firearm, which police say the suspect was carrying illegally, was recovered from the car.

According to police, the suspect’s vehicle was the only one involved in the collision, and drunken driving is a suspected factor. The driver was identified by police as Joseph Lopez.

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