NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol appeared to narrowly avoid being run over by an unruly critic in footage captured by the publication on Thursday. In the video, Sokol is seen talking to a man before the incident, and the latter criticizes the reporter for filming outside the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center. “You’re invading people’s privacy here. Confidentiality, you realize?” said the driver. CBS CREW ATTACKED BY MULTIPLE MEN NEAR CHICAGO MUSEUM, SUSPECTS ARRESTED: POLICE Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol was nearly run over Thursday morning. (Maine Wire) “Am I invading people’s privacy? Being in public with a camera? And making a report?” Sokol responded. The driver proceeded to drive away as Sokol continued his report, describing the man as “possibly intoxicated.” As he spoke, Sokol suddenly backed away, apparently nearly avoiding a collision with what appeared to be the same man’s vehicle. Sokol could then be heard reciting the suspect’s license plate numbers through the downed camera as the car continued driving. The Maine Wire also showed additional footage showing security footage of how close the vehicle came to Sokol, as well as Sokol approaching the center’s owner, suggesting the suspect was connected. “Your patient just tried to run me over,” Sokol accused in the images. HOW THE MEDIA, IN THE DIGITAL AGE, HELPS FEED A CLIMATE OF ANGER AND VIOLENCEThe owner, however, accused Sokol of trying to intimidate her and demanded that he leave the property. Joe Sokol told Fox News Digital that police were at the scene of the near hit-and-run. (Getty Images) In a comment to Fox News Digital, Sokol confirmed that he was investigating an addiction clinic and that police were notified and responded to the scene. Although the suspect was identified, Sokol was still unsure if he was detained. He added that it was by no means the first time he had faced an attempt on his life. “I currently have an active death threat investigation that has been on the district attorney’s desk for over a month,” Sokol said. “I have been assaulted several times; one of those incidents resulted in a charge, which the state dropped last week. Violence and assault toward Maine Wire reporters is never addressed in Bangor. About three weeks ago, my cameraman, Adam Stade, was nearly attacked by several homeless people in town. The wife of a councilman, Michael Beck, actually asked the police to intervene regarding our coverage (attached). Most of the city council refuses to comment on the issue in general.” Wire also issued a statement honoring Sokol for reacting well under pressure and providing additional details about Sokol’s investigation. VULNERABLE DEM’S OWN AUDIT ADMITS MEDICAID OVERSIGHT FAILURE AMID MASSIVE STATE FRAUD SCANDAL “Joe was there to ask questions about a methadone clinic that, according to reporting by The Maine Wire, has received approximately $25 million in taxpayer funds through Medicaid. It is essentially a taxpayer-funded drug trafficking operation in the heart of Bangor, Maine. “We will continue to investigate this organization, its facilitators, and employees who appeared to be accessories after the fact rather than good Samaritans,” the statement read. The Maine Wire stated that Sokol was investigating a possible taxpayer-funded methadone clinic, (istock) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP He continued: “We extend our sincere thanks to the men and women of the Bangor Police Department for their professionalism and compassionate response. We will cooperate fully with their investigation, including providing vehicle information, the driver’s identity, his social media history, his vehicle’s VIN number, his romantic history, “Our account of what happened, and our opinion on what should happen to the driver and the taxpayer-funded methadone dealers who helped him become intoxicated before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” Fox News Digital has reached out to Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center for comment. Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.
