News/Commentary

‘Preposterous’: Charges slammed after man arrested for allegedly targeting reporter with vehicle

October 3, 2026 | | Print Article

A man who allegedly tried to run over a reporter for a conservative media outlet in Maine has been arrested in connection with the Thursday incident.

Joe Sokol of The Maine Wire was reporting from outside the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center when he had an exchange with the driver of a vehicle who accused him of “invading people’s privacy” outside of the methadone clinic, which, according to the outlet, had received around $ 25 million in Medicaid funding from 2018 to 2024

After the conversation, the black vehicle drove off and then, after Sokol resumed his report, reappeared, cutting across the grass and speeding at the journalist, who got out of the way, but a tripod holding the camera wasn’t so lucky.

In video footage of the harrowing incident posted to social media, the outlet accused the “lunatic” driver of trying to “murder” Sokol.

On Friday, Bangor Police arrested 38-year-old Ryan Hayward, who faces multiple charges including reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

Additionally, Hayward was charged with criminal endangering with a dangerous weapon, driving to endanger, and violation of conditions of release, according to a press release from the Bangor Police Department.

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“Some lunatic just attempted to murder our reporter @iAmJoeSokol. We have the entire chilling interaction on camera,” The Maine Wire shared on X after the incident. “We will take all necessary actions to demand justice.”

In a bizarre twist to the story, the “lunatic” alleged perp, a patient at the clinic, called up the outlet and admitted that he targeted Sokol for his reporting.

While the outlet touted the arrest, some aren’t satisfied and urged that the matter be escalated to the Department of Justice.

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“The recidivist thug on his way to pickup his taxpayer-subsidized narcotics who tried to murder a Maine Wire journalist yesterday has been charged reckless conduct, criminal threatening, and driving to endanger.Those charges might have been appropriate if he flipped off @iAmJoeSokol and happened to cross the median,” wrote fellow Maine Wire reporter Steve Robinson.

“But he tried to murder him in an act of targeted political violence. This is preposterous. I am grateful to law enforcement for taking care of Joe and apprehending this criminal, but these charges are obscene. He’ll get a $300 fine and time served. If that,” he added.

“The @CivilRights and @HarmeetKDhillon @AAGDhillon should examine this case and see what can be done considering Ryan Hayward admitted to me that he targeted Joe Sokol because of his journalism and commentary on drugs, crime, and Maine’s failed harm reduction policies. This wasn’t random road rage. This was targeted political violence. Also, Joe just told me he’s transgender and Muslim if that helps,” Robinson wrote.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) condemned the attack on a journalist who was doing his job.

“What happened to Joe was appalling. Journalists should never be attacked for doing their jobs. Violence has no place in our country, or our politics,” she told The Maine Wire.

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Chris Donaldson
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