A "Pokemon Go" player was the victim of a hit-and-run in Bangor, Maine, Sunday night, and police believe he was intentionally hit.
According to police, a group of people playing the popular game were crossing a downtown intersection around 10 p.m.
Witnesses said a driver stopped and yelled something that sounded like, "Do you want to get hit?" at the Pokemon players. When one player yelled something back, the driver allegedly stopped the car, backed it up, then sped forward, hitting a 37-year-old man.
"We heard the yelling, the tires squealing, and saw a guy fly over the car right into the middle of the cross walk," said witness Lauren Spanks, who was also in the area playing Pokemon.
"It was really scary because they weren't doing anything wrong, they were just crossing the road," she said.
The driver of the car allegedly sped away after hitting the man. The victim did not sustain any serious injuries, and was not transported to the hospital.
Witness descriptions and a license plate number lead police to arrest 36-year-old Jeannie Chapman of Brewer, who has been charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct.
Maine
The latest news from around the state
Attempts to reach Chapman for comment were unsuccessful. She is scheduled to appear in court in mid-September.
"It's disheartening," said avid Pokemon player Samuel Eaton. "There is some animosity toward the game," he said, describing harassment he has experienced playing the game in public.
"A lot of people driving by, shouting that Pokemon is useless," said Eaton.
Spanks agreed, saying the night of the alleged assault, she and her husband were also verbally harassed while playing Pokemon. "People were shouting derogatory things at us," said Spanks. "We're just having fun."
