Former Democratic congressional candidate Mark Wiklund on April 18 reportedly crashed his car while driving under the influence and hit a police officer at the hospital afterward.
Wicklund has been charged with driving under the influence and a preliminary charge of aggravated battery against a police officer in Macon County, Illinois, the Herald & Review reported last week.
The former candidate was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Ill. after rolling his car in an accident while leaving a golf course. An affidavit by a patrol officer detailed the incident at the hospital.
"Mark was cussing, screaming and shouting profanities towards officers and medical staff," the officer said.
The officer also said that Wicklund was, "heavily intoxicated, with bloodshot, glassy eyes."
Wicklund refused to sit on a bed and attempted to leave the hospital, saying that he had "political connections." The officer stopped Wicklund and said that he was going to place restraints on him for repeatedly ignoring the officer's orders. Wiklund allegedly responded by striking the officer in the chest.
Wicklund's blood alcohol level was 0.186; the legal limit is 0.08. Wicklund admitted to drinking up to nine beers before his crash, and an open bottle with liquid smelling like alcohol was found in his car.
Wicklund is currently free on $10,000 bond.
Wicklund ran in 2016 against Rep. Rodney Davis (R., Ill.), but Davis won with nearly 60 percent of the vote.