LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster man was convicted of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment on Tuesday for threatening to run over a Caernarvon Township Fire Police lieutenant with an 18-wheel tractor-trailer, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
Craig Robert Godfrey was found guilty after a two-day trial for the June 3, 2023, incident in which he nearly struck Lieutenant Timothy Cunningham, who was directing traffic around the scene of a barn fire on South Red School Road. Despite road closures, Godfrey insisted on driving his truck through the blocked area, repeatedly lurching his vehicle toward Cunningham, forcing the lieutenant to back away multiple times.
Godfrey eventually drove directly at Cunningham, who had to push himself away from the truck to avoid being hit. A portion of the confrontation was captured on Godfrey’s dashboard camera, which was presented as evidence during the trial.
The jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. “Fire police officers and other volunteer first-responders selflessly put themselves at great risk to protect the safety of others,” First Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson said in a statement. “The jury’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for his unacceptably dangerous conduct.”
Godfrey was convicted of felony aggravated assault by physical menace and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Sentencing is expected at a later date.