A 56-year-old Weisenberg Township man was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly biting a state trooper 9:15 p.m. March 2 next to the detached garage of his home in the 2700 block of Distillery Road.

According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained from Magisterial District Judge Tom Creighton’s office, Slatington, State Trooper David Tretter said he was requested to respond to the Distillery Road address to investigate an incident where another trooper was allegedly assaulted by Dean M. Bucks, who had allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop.

Tretter stated upon arrival, he reviewed the mobile video recording footage from the trooper’s patrol vehicle. On the footage, he saw the trooper’s vehicle traveling east on Claussville Road reaching the intersection with Route 100, where the trooper made a legal right turn south through a steady red light.

Then he saw Bucks’ Ford E350 van, which was traveling north on Route 100, make a left turn onto Claussville Road, allegedly almost striking the front of the trooper’s patrol vehicle.

Tretter states the trooper made a U-turn, got behind the van and activated his emergency lights and sirens.

Bucks allegedly failed to stop and continued west on Claussville Road, before turning right onto Distillery Road heading north, ultimately coming to a stop next to the detached garage.

Tretter further states the trooper announced “state police” and requested Bucks to show his hands.

Bucks allegedly exited the van, refused to follow the trooper’s commands and allegedly responded to the trooper with foul language, at which time the trooper used a Taser on Bucks, which was not effective. The trooper then attempted to grab Bucks’ arm to control him.

Bucks then allegedly grabbed the trooper’s arm and the two fell to the ground where they continued to struggle.

Tretter said that during the struggle the trooper suffered an injury to his left shoulder, which rendered his left arm unusable.

Tretter states Bucks allegedly bit the trooper’s right thigh, breaking the skin, before he was taken into custody with additional assistance.

Tretter also states Bucks’ minor son was a passenger in the van during the incident.

According to the affidavit, Tretter said the trooper told him while interacting with Bucks he allegedly detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his person and breath. He also told Tretter, he allegedly observed Bucks’ eyes were bloodshot and glassy.

Tretter stated while he was speaking with Bucks at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, he allegedly detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him, and his speech was slurred.

According to Tretter, Bucks allegedly admitted consuming an alcoholic beverage before operating his van.

Bucks allegedly refused to submit to a blood test and sign a chemical testing warning and report of refusals form, which was witnessed by another trooper.

According to Lehigh County criminal court records, in addition to Bucks being charged with aggravated assault, a felony of the first degree; he was charged with fleeing or attempted to elude an officer, a felony of the third degree; endangering the welfare of children; and driving under the influence first offense, both misdemeanors of the first degree, simple assault and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors of the second degree; and three traffic violations, all summary offenses.

He was arraigned at 11 a.m. March 3 before District Judge Michael J. Faulkner, Upper Macungie Township. Bucks monetary bail was set at $100,000, which he posted the same day.

According to a spokesperson at Creighton’s office, no date has been scheduled for his preliminary hearing.