LEWISTON – An Auburn man made his first court appearance Friday in connection with a hit-and-run incident that prosecutors say was intentional and connected to a fatal accident four years ago in Lewiston.

William Panzino, 21, appeared in District Court, dressed in a bright orange jail suit, but didn’t enter pleas to the two felony charges against him.

Police charged Panzino with aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. The charges are expected to be referred to an Androscoggin County grand jury.

Police say Panzino was driving a 1995 Nissan Sentra when he hit Kyle Karkos, 21, of Lewiston shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Karkos was walking across the street that cuts through Great Falls Plaza after exchanging words with someone riding in Panzino’s car. Police said Karkos had been in a fight earlier in the evening with one of Panzino’s friends.

Karkos was knocked to the ground and taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where he was treated for cuts and bruises and released.

According to Kelley Karkos, her son had an argument with a man at the carnival whom he had known in high school. They argued after the man started harassing Kyle Karkos about the accident that killed Kenny Jellison, during a drag race in 2006 on Canal Street in Lewiston.

Karkos, then 17, was driving his Honda Civic, and Jellison was a passenger in the vehicle.

Karkos was charged with manslaughter, reckless conduct and driving to endanger. A judge later dismissed the charges.

Panzino said in court Friday that he’ll seek a court-appointed attorney. His bail was reduced from $15,000 to $800 in cash, and he was freed on bail at 4:30 p.m.

He was ordered to have no contact with Karkos and was prohibited from entering Karkos’ home, workplace or school.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Metulis said: “What’s alleged is that the defendant purposely struck Kyle Karkos with his vehicle as part of a revenge attack for a 2006 driving fatality Mr. Karkos was involved in.”

Panzino said, “That is not true at all.”

Judge Rick Lawrence told Panzino that he will have his day in court to give his side of the story.

 

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