Corinth Man Earns Challenge Coin After Saving Woman from Violent Attack

A Corinth man is being hailed a hero for saving a woman from a violent attack. An argument between two women turned deadly when one of them started using her SUV as a weapon against the other.

Bangor Police Sergeant Tim Cotton said in a press release that the trouble started during the early morning hours on Wednesday. Two Connecticut women started arguing in the parking lot of the Motel 6 on Hammond Street in Bangor.

Suddenly, Diane Desiata, age 54 of Connecticut, jumped into her black Jeep and struck the other woman with the vehicle several times, knocking her to the ground and then running over her with the front wheel. That's when Troy McClure of Corinth decided to intervene.

Cotton says McClure ran in front of the Jeep and placed his hands on the hood, yelling for Desiata to stop. The woman got out of the Jeep to view the woman under her tire. She backed off, gave the victim time to get up, and then placed the victim in her Jeep before driving away.

As a result of the investigation, Desiata was arrested in Topsham and taken to the Penobscot County Jail. The victim has returned to her home in Connecticut and is reportedly in good condition.

Officer John Hermanson made the decision to present Troy McClure with a Bangor Police Department Challenge coin. Hermanson wrote in his report that, 'McClure acted selflessly to help a woman he did not know. He placed his life in danger in an attempt to save hers. He exhibited bravery and courage and I believe that, had he not acted, seriously bodily injury or death could have occurred.'

Upon receiving the award, McClure said he would do it again if he had to. Hermanson thanked McClure for his outstanding service on behalf of the Bangor Police Department.