Driver In Stolen Police Cruiser Hits Officers: West Haven Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — Several West Haven police officers were struck by a driver who took control of a police cruiser and tried to get away by crashing through a fence at Oak Grove Cemetery on Wednesday morning.

Two juveniles have been arrested and two officers were taken to the hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

The wild scene began unfolding around 11:15 a.m. when West Haven police were notified by another department that a stolen vehicle was seen exiting I-95 by Exit 43 and entering the city. The vehicle has been used in several robberies and purse snatches along the shoreline communities in the state over the past several days, according to Sgt. Patrick Buturla.

West Haven police officers found the stolen vehicle traveling in the area of First Avenue and Mix Avenue, according to Buturla. Police tried to stop the vehicle, which went onto Campbell Avenue.

“As the vehicle approached the intersection of Campbell Avenue and West Spring Street, the operator could not continue his path due to traffic congestion and collided with multiple vehicles at this intersection,” Buturla wrote in a statement. “The operator fled on foot and officers gave chase. While the second occupant of the stolen vehicle was being apprehended, the operator returned and entered a West Haven Police Department patrol vehicle. The individual reversed the patrol vehicle subsequently striking several Officers. As the operator accelerated the vehicle forward, he narrowly missed running over one of the responding officers who took an evasive maneuver allowing him to escape serious physical injury or worse.

“The vehicle proceeded to drive through a fence at the Oak Grove cemetery and ultimately it became disabled. He then attempted to flee on foot and was subsequently stopped and arrested by officers. Both individuals arrested are confirmed to be juveniles. Two officers have been transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation and are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.”

Video of the incident has been circulating on social media and shows the officer down after possibly being hit by the vehicle.

“We are aware of the video circulating the internet and are thankful that none of our officers or citizens sustained more severe injuries due to this reckless and careless act by these juvenile males,” Buturla said.

“On behalf of the people of West Haven, I extend my thoughts and prayers to the two West Haven police officers who suffered injuries in the carjacking incident this morning at Campbell Avenue and Spring Street,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said in a statement. “The entire West Haven community wishes these heroic officers a full and speedy recovery.

“I have made available the full cooperation and resources of the city to the West Haven Police Department for its investigation. I want to thank West Haven’s finest for their swift response to this incident.”