Man drove off with woman on fender

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BRIDGEPORT, Conn., June 14 (UPI) -- Police in Connecticut said a man struck a woman with his van and drove off with her stuck on the driver's side fender.

Investigators said a 23-year-old Bridgeport woman was standing outside a disabled car on Stratford Avenue when she was struck by the van driven by Frank Rega, 56, of Monroe and became stuck on the driver's side fender, The (Bridgeport) Connecticut Post reported Thursday.

Police said Rega continued to drive away with the woman hanging over the front of the vehicle. They said he ignored her cries for him to stop, even when she was able to reach into his window and hit him in the face.

Police said the woman eventually fell off the vehicle and was treated at St. Vincent's Medical Center.

Rega was arrested at his home hours after the March 15 incident and told officers he was acting in self-defense.

Rega has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, evading responsibility and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said. He was released on $500 bond.