Police officer seriously hurt when struck by fleeing vehicle

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts police officer has been taken to the hospital with what were described as serious leg and foot injuries after being struck by a vehicle speeding away from the scene of a suspected break-in.

In response, a second officer fired his service weapon at the fleeing vehicle, Lawrence police said in a posting on their official Facebook page. It was not clear if anyone was struck by the gunfire.

The officers were investigating a suspected break-in at about 11:45 p.m. Monday, police said.

The vehicle hit the officer, “pinning him in place,” police said.

The injured officer was treated at the scene by paramedics and later flown to a Boston hospital, police said. The officer, whose injuries are not considered life threatening, was not publicly identified but was described as a 51-year-old veteran.

Police chased the vehicle that struck the officer, and it crashed a short distance away. One suspect was taken into custody and police continue to search for more suspects.

Elisamuel Fernandez-Pagan, 32, of Lawrence was charged with breaking and entering and receiving a stolen motor vehicle, police told The Eagle-Tribune.

It’s unclear when he will be arraigned.

State police are assisting in the investigation.

©The Associated Press 2020