Cube van smashes patrol car

A Belleville man faces a long list of charges after racing a box truck through an eastern neighborhood.

According to Belleville police, a man drove a box truck through front yards in Belleville's East End after 8 p.m. Saturday night, hitting vehicles and houses.

An officer responding to the call found the driver traveling westbound on Victoria Avenue near Eastside Secondary School.

To stop the van, he parked his patrol car with the blue lights on across the street. Shortly after the police officer got out, he was hit by the van. The patrol car spun and severely damaged the van, causing it to come to a stop. Neither the police officer nor the van driver were injured. The van driver was quickly arrested.

Joaquim Hylton, 40, of Belleville, was charged with driving while under the influence, blood alcohol concentration over 80, dangerous driving and failure to stop at an accident. He was held for a bail hearing on Sunday morning and released on conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 31.

A portion of Victoria Avenue near the intersection with Farley Avenue was closed until 10:50 a.m. this morning so investigators could work on reconstructing the accident scene and securing evidence.

The road has now been reopened, but investigations are still ongoing.