File Under: WTF?

Franklin Park Man Charged After Using Snow Blower

A Franklin Park Borough man is facing an assault charge after using his snow blower.

Steve Negri says that a plow driver accused him of throwing snow into the street while he used the device in his driveway. He says tempers flared as he explained that the snow blower can throw snow 20 feet or so across the street. By then, Negri says they both threatened to call the police. He says the driver got back in his truck, but instead of leaving, he gave him one more warning.

"When he got out of the vehicle is when I was pulling the trigger for the snow blower and it shot him with snow and shot the cab with snow," Negri explained. "He started wiping himself off and he started screaming, 'You're going to get it now!'"

Eventually, two Franklin Park Borough police officers showed up to investigate. On Tuesday, Negri says an officer told him he would be charged with assault for allegedly throwing snow on a borough employee. "When I asked, 'Well did you ask the neighbor across the street who actually started this?' He says, 'I don't need to.'"I said, 'What do you mean you don't need to? It's part of the investigation.'"He said, 'Look I've known him for 17 years - I know who he is I don't know you so we'll just let a judge sort this out,'" Negri said.

KDKA-TV's Bob Allen tried to contact Franklin Borough Police for an explanation of the charge, which is a summary offense.Negri says he looks forward to settling the matter in court.

We had a similar situation happen on Tuesday here at The Compound. Dad was clearing off our driveway with our snow blower, and was at the the end of the driveway right by the road when one of the city plow trucks came by. The truck threw a big blog of snow and ice, hitting Dad in the back and catching him off guard. He was twisting and turning as he tried to keep his balance and not fall down, and in doing so threw out his hip again.

When I got home and heard about the incident, the first thing I asked was "Did you flip the guy off?" He said no. If he had of, chances are you would have been reading an article about him and city snow plow driver instead of the article about Mr. Negri. Just saying.