Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol captured the moment he was nearly run down by a crazed motorist this week. Sokol was doing a segment across the street from a methadone clinic that’s received $25 million in taxpayer dollars. A driver pulled up, recognized him, and berated him for violating people’s privacy. 

Sokol was not violating anyone’s privacy, as he was not on the clinic’s property and was recording on a public street. Sokol said the driver might be intoxicated as he pulled away, but the suspect then made a U-turn and tried to run down the journalist. It’s all on film.

Meet Ryan Hayward, who faces “reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon” and other charges. 

Sokol got his tags as he sped off. It was only a matter of time. 

https://townhall.com/news/mattvespa/2026/10/04/man-who-tried-to-run-over-maine-reporter-has-been-identified-and-arrested-n2684068