A routine traffic stop on Haverstraw’s riverfront turned ugly Wednesday afternoon when a Town of Haverstraw police officer was hit by a vehicle and taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Police quickly broadcast the fleeing car’s description and license plate, and another officer spotted it a short time later on West Street. The vehicle was pulled over and everyone inside was taken into custody. Authorities have not yet released any names or charges.
What police say
According to the Town of Haverstraw Police Department, the incident unfolded around 1:10 p.m. Wednesday on Riverfront Lane after officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. The encounter escalated when the driver took off and struck an officer before speeding away, the department told Daily Voice. A description of the car and its plates went out over the radio, and a responding officer soon spotted the vehicle traveling on West Street and pulled it over. Police say the occupants were taken into custody without further incident.
Why roadside stops can turn dangerous
Traffic stops are supposed to be routine, yet they remain one of the more unpredictable parts of an officer’s job. The FBI has reported that motor-vehicle incidents, including cases where an officer on foot is struck by a vehicle, are a significant factor in accidental line-of-duty deaths in recent reporting, a reminder of how fast a simple stop can turn serious.
What’s next
The injured officer is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and the department says more details will be released when available, according to Daily Voice. So far, officials have not identified the individuals taken into custody or announced any specific charges.
