A Worcester police officer narrowly avoided injury in a bizarre incident that unfolded while responding to a fight in progress. The officer found himself pinned between his cruiser and another vehicle after failing to secure the rolling car. Witnesses captured the incident on cell phone video, and watched as the situation escalated near the Worcester Common shortly before midnight on August 8.
Oscar Sanchez, an employee at Ziggy Bombs across the street, sprung into action to assist the officer. "I thought he was going to get crushed, so as soon as I saw that, I started running," Sanchez told WHDH. After being handed the keys by the beleaguered officer, Sanchez managed to jump in the cruiser, put it in reverse, and free the officer from his precarious situation.
According to a video shared with WCVB, the incident began with two men fighting, one of whom was striking the other with a large object. Alma Martinez witnessed the officer's frantic attempts to stop his car: "His body shielded the other car," she said. Anthony Watson, 37, was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon in connection with the fight.
The Worcester Police Department is investigating what caused the vehicle to continue rolling after the officer exited, as captured in a Reddit-shared video from a nearby apartment complex. The department reported that the officer was not hurt and there was no damage to any of the vehicles involved. The man accused of initiating the fight was heard yelling, "He's drunk. He's drunk," and "He threw a knife," during the arrest, as reported by an interview conducted by Telegram.com. The other man involved was treated at the scene.
After the incident, bystanders and the Worcester community have praised the bravery and quick thinking of those who helped the officer. Sanchez told WHDH, "I thought he was going to get hurt really bad. Thankfully, he didn’t. I think that's what the most important part is, that he's safe and everyone is safe." The incident is still being investigated by Worcester Police.
