The gray Ford Ranger, seen sandwiched between police vehicles, was pushed onto the road in Golden Rock Tues. Feb. 1, 2022 during the 3:00 p.m. rush hour when parents usually pick their children up from school. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT/ V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX- A man is facing several criminal charges after he allegedly used his Jeep Wrangler to push a vehicle at a drive-thru ATM into oncoming traffic.
Wingrove Creighton, 39, was arrested on Tuesday after police responded to a report of shots being fired in the vicinity of Firstbank in Christiansted. According to the probable cause fact sheet, the responding officer observed a gray Ford Ranger at a stop in the westbound lane of the Northside Road, facing eastbound. The officer observed the vehicle’s rear bumper bent out of shape with several scratches and two .40 caliber spent shell casings a few feet away from the vehicle.
A red Jeep Wrangler was also seen parked on the grass at the top of the drive-thru ATM exit lane. The driver’s side of that vehicle’s front bumper was bent out of shape and bore several scratch marks. Bullet holes were also observed below the driver’s side headlight and the windshield. Wingrove Creighton, who was identified as the driver of the Wrangler was in the presence of other police officers at the time. A third vehicle was also in the parking area with damages to its front end. The driver of that vehicle was interviewed by police and stated that while in the parking area she heard multiple shots fired and then observed the Jeep Wrangler reversing towards her, colliding into her vehicle.
The drivers of both the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Ranger were escorted to the police station where they provided statements. The driver of the Ford Ranger stated that he was conducting a transaction at the ATM drive-thru when the Jeep Wrangler pulled up to the rear of his vehicle and honked its horn multiple times. Upon completing his transaction, he proceeded forward and came to a stop in the parking area exit lane to properly secure his wallet. The Jeep Wrangler then drove past the ATM without conducting a transaction and stopped at the rear of his vehicle and began honking its horn. The driver said that the Wrangler then struck the rear of his vehicle and pushed it onto the Northside Road into oncoming traffic.
He told police that his foot remained on the brake pedal while his vehicle was being pushed and he observed multiple vehicles abruptly stopping in the roadway, turning to avoid colliding into him. According to the driver, while his vehicle was being pushed he exited and retrieved his licensed firearm which he pointed at the Jeep Wrangler and said “stop.” The Wrangler’s driver complied and then reversed at the parking area, hitting a concrete wall and another vehicle. According to the probable cause fact sheet, the man further stated that he could still hear the Wrangler’s engine running and was unsure if the driver would continue the assault. He proceeded to discharge two rounds at the front end of the vehicle. In his statement, he noted that he was in fear for his life during the incident.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, Creighton claimed that his foot got stuck between the brakes and gas pedal. While the fact sheet details that Creighton was arrested and charged, there was no mention of any charges against the other driver.
At his advisement hearing on Wednesday, Creighton was informed that the charges of third-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment each carry maximum sentences of 5 years. In addition to those offenses, he is also charged with destruction of property, operating a vehicle in a reckless manner and violating the restrictions on tinted glass windows. Attorney Leslie Davis attempted to argue against the charge of reckless endangerment, stating that the charge specifies that a person must engage in reckless conduct that creates a grave risk of death to another person in a public place. According to Davis, under the circumstances, Creighton did not have such intent. While Judge Ernest Morris Jr. noted that the fact sheet states that the vehicle was pushed out into traffic, Davis suggested that this could have been accidental. The judge indicated that such arguments should be saved for trial and concluded that probable cause was found for all five charges.
Noting that the defendant has no convictions on record, Davis asked that Creighton be allowed to post 10 percent of his bail which was set at $30,000 at the time of his arrest. The judge agreed to this recommendation, noting that Creighton and his third-party custodian will be required to sign an unsecured bond for the remainder of the $30,000. Additionally, he has been ordered to surrender his travel documents and report to probation weekly while the matter remains pending. Creighton is strictly forbidden from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim and any potential witnesses.
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