GREENFIELD — The Gill man who allegedly tried to hit a man and his two sons with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) bus he was driving on June 4 continues to be held without the right to bail following a dangerousness hearing Wednesday in Greenfield District Court.

According to Mary Carey, spokesperson with the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Steven Connell, 38, will continue to be held at the Franklin County House of Correction.

“The commonwealth presented evidence in this case that the defendant would continue to pose a danger to the victims and the community were he released,” said Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber, who is currently associated with the case. “This was based primarily on the facts and circumstances of the serious crimes with which he is charged. After hearing from the parties, the court allowed the commonwealth’s motion and ordered Mr. Connell held without bail.”

Webber explained that a dangerousness hearing can be requested by the state in cases for which the defendant is accused of certain felonies involving the use or threatened use of violence, and if the defendant’s release could endanger the victim another person or the community.

Timothy Flynn, the attorney representing Connell, declined to comment.

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Connell is scheduled to be back in court for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 7, by which time a decision may be made as to whether to prosecute the case in Greenfield District Court, or indict the case and prosecute it in Franklin County Superior Court.

When he was arraigned in June, Connell pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault with intent to murder while armed, four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and single counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery, assault on ambulance personnel, a marked lanes violation and a civil rights violation.

The incident June 4 happened at around 3:30 p.m., when the Greenfield Police Department received a call regarding an FRTA bus that had crashed into a stone wall and building.

According to a previous statement from police, a nearby firefighter allegedly saw the driver, later identified as Connell, get off the bus and chase after and grab a Black man, later identified as Erik Rudder. Connell was reportedly yelling that the man he was attacking had a gun, according to the statement, but officers confirmed Rudder did not have a gun.

Rudder and his two sons had been passengers on the FRTA bus Connell was driving until they exited on Main Street near Hope Street. Witnesses told authorities the three were walking west on Main Street when the bus suddenly accelerated and veered off the right side of the road, according to the Police Department’s previous statement. Connell then allegedly ran after Rudder and started attacking him.

Officers spoke with Connell, who reportedly said he attacked the three because one of the boys made hand gestures indicating he had a firearm, according to the Police Department. He confirmed to police that he crashed the bus in an attempt to apprehend the three.

Another person, who was seated on the sidewalk nearby, was also nearly struck by the bus when Connell drove it off the road, according to the Police Department. No injuries were reported.

According to the police statement, Connell was later evaluated at the hospital, where he allegedly kicked an employee.

Reach Mary Byrne at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbyrne@recorder.com.