An 18-year-old Austin man pleaded not guilty in Mower County District Court Thursday to charges stemming from accusations that he smashed the SUV he was driving into three other vehicles.

Brandon Michael-Scott Garson faces two felonies for fourth-degree assault of a peace officer, three gross misdemeanors pertaining to third-degree and second-degree DWI charges, and two misdemeanors: obstructing the legal process and driving without proof of insurance.

According to Austin police and court records, he hit the cars while driving a 2005 Chevy Equinox at the intersection of Seventh Street and Second Avenue Southwest. Damage was reported to a Chevy Impala, Chevy Equinox and a third vehicle whose make was not detailed. There were no injuries reported and no damage estimate was available, but Police Chief Brian Krueger said damage to the Garson vehicle was significant.

Officers were called at 10:43 p.m. and Garson allegedly attempted to leave the scene but was detained.

He claimed to be driving 25 to 30 mph, but a witness estimated he was driving faster than 60 mph on a city street.

According to the report, officers detected the smell of alcohol, slurred speech and watery eyes and Garson failed a field sobriety test.

He was taken to the Mower County Jail. On the way there, he pounded his head against the squad car plexiglass.

At the jail, he allegedly became more aggressive, leading to him being put in a spit hood and restraint chair, but he managed to take off the spit hood and spit on an officer two times.

He was found to have no proof of insurance and driving without a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

His criminal history shows a Nov. 23, 2016, DWI conviction for operating a snowmobile or ATV under the influence of alcohol.

He is scheduled for a March 31 pretrial and April 10 jury trial.