The Freeport treasurer and tax collector is accused of punching a man following a two-vehicle crash in Jefferson Township, according to state police.

Richard Bruce Fennell, 57, of Freeport, was charged Wednesday, April 1, with misdemeanor simple assault in relation to the March 16 crash.

Police said after Fennell’s Jeep and another man’s pickup truck were involved in a two vehicle crash along Route 356, Fennell confronted and assaulted the other man. The crash was reported at about 4 p.m. near 808 North Pike Road.

According to the affidavit, Fennell shoved his chest into the man’s chest, and when the man then pushed Fennell back, Fennell punched him in the face multiple times.

Police observed redness around Fennell’s knuckles and wet marks around both knees, and the assaulted man had a bloody, swollen lip, bruising and discoloration on his face and on a finger.

Police said Fennell also grabbed the man’s shirt and kneed him three times in the ribs.

The two men then fell to the ground where Fennell held the assaulted man, police said.

According to police, a woman attempted to pull Fennell off the other man to no avail.

The man went to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police reported seeing paint from the man’s pickup truck on the front bumper of Fennel’s Jeep. The affidavit did not indicate what caused the collision.

Fennell is listed as “Rick Fennell” on the Freeport website.

His preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.