NORTHAMPTON — A Haydenville man accused of drug offenses and assaulting a police officer with his car following a multitown chase in October was released on $15,000 bail Wednesday after pleading not guilty to the charges in Hampshire Superior Court.

Eric Kelly-Combs, 32, posted the bail previously following his arraignment in Eastern Hampshire District Court. Aside from the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, he faces charges of possession to distribute marijuana and cocaine (second or subsequent offenses), resisting arrest and negligent operation, following indictment by a grand jury Jan. 18.

Judge Edward McDonough approved the bail requested by agreement between defense attorney Jaime Rogers and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas, who requested no other conditions on Kelly-Combs’ release.

Kelly-Combs was arrested Oct. 7 following a nearly hourlong motor vehicle pursuit that began on Route 9 in Hadley and ended at the Pelham-Belchertown line on Route 202, according to police reports.

Around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 6, Hadley officers stopped a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker and determined that Kelly-Combs, the driver and sole occupant, had a suspended license.

“During the traffic stop, the operator fled the scene in his vehicle, which initiated a pursuit that continued through Amherst, Pelham and ending in Belchertown,” Hadley Police Lt. Jesse Green said.

After speeding east on Route 9, Kelly-Combs allegedly led pursuing officers through downtown Amherst. Officers said they saw him throw a baggie out the window on East Pleasant Street. Amherst police set up stop sticks in the road, which were hit, but Kelly-Combs continued driving through Amherst before turning up Pelham Road to Amherst Road in Pelham, where police said more baggies were thrown out the window.

Green said Amherst police and State Police assisted in making the arrest a short time after the vehicle got onto Route 202.

Police initially filed 22 charges against Kelly-Combs. Prosecutors dismissed 17 of them prior to his arraignment in Superior Court.

His next court date was set for April 17.

James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com.