Six Buffalo Police officers were injured Monday night after a teenager tried to flee police in a stolen car. Police said officers stopped the stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a gas station at Bailey Avenue and Langfield Drive. The 16-year-old male driver started to back up as officers tried to remove him from the vehicle. That dragged Lt. Nicole Santiago, causing her to be injured.
Officers pursued the suspect as he drove away. The driver swerved into the path of an oncoming vehicle, which then struck a police car, injuring the two officers inside.
Police said the suspect stopped after striking a parked car near Best and Peach streets, and two more officers were injured in an ensuing foot chase. Another police lieutenant was also injured as the arrest was being made.
The 16-year-old has been charged with felony assault of a police officer, unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, plus numerous vehicle and traffic offenses. The six officers' injuries are non-life-threatening and all are expected to recover.
