Mass. Police Officer Seriously Injured After Being Dragged by Fleeing Vehicle
What to know
- A Lawrence police officer suffered serious injuries after being dragged by a fleeing vehicle during a traffic stop Tuesday night.
- Police said officers discovered the driver had a revoked license and the passenger was wanted on two warrants before the passenger jumped behind the wheel and tried to escape.
- The officer was dragged for about two blocks before separating from the vehicle and being transported to a Boston-area hospital.
A suspect was arrested Wednesday in connection with an incident in which a police officer suffered serious injuries after being dragged behind a vehicle in a Massachusetts city.
Hector Rivera was taken into custody Wednesday in Plaistow, New Hampshire, one day after police located a vehicle Rivera had driven, according to a police statement.
On Tuesday night, Lawrence police stopped a vehicle near East Haverhill Street and Kendall Street, according to a police statement. Officers determined the driver had a revoked license and the passenger, Rivera, was wanted on two arrest warrants.
While officers took the driver into custody, Rivera got behind the wheel and attempted to flee. An officer tried to stop Rivera and got dragged by the vehicle as it drove away.
The officer, Ariel Cruz, was dragged for two blocks before separating from the vehicle. Cruz was taken to a Boston-area hospital with serious injuries, police said.
Police in Plaistow spotted the SUV driven by Rivera Tuesday night, according to WCVB, and on Wednesday police located Rivera and arrested him.
The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Plaistow Police Department collaborated to track down Rivera, according to a statement from Lawrence police.
“The apprehension of this suspect is the direct result of relentless investigative work and strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies,” Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler said.
Cruz is still receiving medical care.
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