- A New Haven police officer intentionally cut off an ATV driver who lost control and crashed into the car.
- Authorities said the driver had room to walk around the patrol car and they protected bystanders.
- The ATV driver who was driving there illegally suffered serious injuries.
On a Sunday afternoon, New Haven, Connecticut police patrolled East Rock Park to curb illegal ATV and dirt bike activity in the area. When they spotted one, they blocked part of the road, ostensibly to protect pedestrians. However, the ATV user was unable to stop and crashed into the vehicle. Now the driver is facing serious injuries and charges related to the incident.
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East Rock Park is a 27-acre area with several streets closed to cars, motorcycles, ATVs and dirt bikes. However, the police have received reports of people using the latter two means of transport on the streets there. One of those streets that was closed to car traffic in 2020 was the street where officers began searching the park. They saw an ATV driver approaching on the opposite lane.
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The officers had just passed a group of park users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Authorities say the officer cut off the ATV driver’s path to protect those people. The patrol car’s dashcam video shows the ATV driver losing control, skidding and ultimately colliding with the patrol car. The force of the impact causes the windshield to shatter.
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“This is an unfortunate and stark reminder of the extreme dangers of illegal ATV and dirt bike riding on city streets, both for pedestrians and the drivers of the vehicles themselves.” “Our officers led on behalf of this family who found themselves in danger “performed a potentially life-saving maneuver,” New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson told WSFA.
“They hear an ATV coming towards them and move to the left side to shield the people behind them…” Jacobson added. “When the incident occurred the officer was not traveling at any speed and then the officer also indicated a getaway area which meant he could have gotten around the police car.”
“While we are glad the family was spared from harm, what happened to the driver is tragic. We hope for his full and speedy recovery and urge the public not to engage in such activities,” he continued.
According to authorities, the 19-year-old will be charged in connection with the incident.
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