By VANESSA DE LA TORRE
Hartford Courant
BERLIN, Conn.— A police officer was injured Saturday night when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver during a traffic detail on the Berlin Turnpike, authorities said.
A 17-year-old Cromwell resident was subsequently charged in the incident. Police did not release his name because of his age.
At about 11:35 p.m., Det. Todd Lentini was one of three officers on the lookout for drivers making improper turns from Rowley Street, just within the Berlin line near Taco Bell, when he saw a blue Honda Civic make an improper turn onto the turnpike and head north toward Newington.
Lentini, who was standing on the roadway, motioned for vehicles on the turnpike to stop as he walked toward the Civic.
He then shone his flashlight at the driver of the Civic and signaled him to stop, said Newington police Lt. William Darby. As Lentini moved toward the driver’s side of the car, the driver tried to drive around the officer but couldn’t, because the Civic was behind traffic, police said. Then, as Lentini was in front of the car, it accelerated.
Lentini tried to jump out of the way but was struck on his left knee, police said. As the car kept moving, Lentini reached into the open driver’s window and grabbed the driver, yelling at him to stop, Darby said. But the Civic continued north on the turnpike, hitting Lentini’s left arm when he fell.
Lentini was treated for injuries to his left knee, shoulder, arm and hand at Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General. He was released and is back at work, police said Monday.
Berlin officers on the traffic detail had noted the license number of the Civic, but it was later determined that it belonged to another car.
Later, in Wallingford, a police officer on patrol saw a blue Honda Civic pulled over on the side of the road. Wallingford police arrested the teenage driver on drug and motor vehicle charges, authorities said. Police in Wallingford then learned about the incident involving a blue Honda Civic in Newington.
Newington police charged the teen with assaulting a police officer, evading responsibility, disobeying an officer’s signal, operating a motor vehicle without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and misuse of plates.
He was being held Monday at Newington police headquarters with bail set at $50,000 and was expected to be presented in Superior Court in New Britain.
Copyright 2007 Hartford Courant