A hit-and-run crash on Staten Island's West Shore Expressway left an NYPD officer injured on May 9th Thursday morning. The incident led to an extensive police search before the suspect was taken into custody.
As CBS News reported, the crash occurred between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the southbound side of the West Shore Expressway, near Exit 8. An NYPD cruiser, pulled over on the side of the road, was struck from behind by another vehicle. The impact caused significant damage to the rear of the police vehicle and left the officer with neck and back injuries.
The officer was quickly taken to Staten Island University Hospital's North Campus, where the injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
Following the collision, the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene. This prompted a large-scale search operation involving NYPD K9 units and a helicopter, which scoured the nearby woods and surrounding area. Numerous emergency vehicles were present at the scene, and police questioned motorists in the vicinity to gather information.
The search ended when the suspect turned himself in at the 121st Precinct around 10:15 a.m., nearly two hours after the incident. Details regarding the identities of the officer and the suspect, as well as any charges, have not yet been released.
This hit-and-run incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the swift response of the NYPD in apprehending the suspect.