Cops: Norwalk Officer Injured When Drunk Driver Flees Scene
Police say an alleged drunk driver hit a Norwalk Police Officer while fleeing a traffic stop Saturday night (May 4).
According to the Norwalk Police Department, the officer was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Main St. and Wall St. in Norwalk late Saturday night, when a motorist reportedly went around his car into the left-turn only lane, driving through the red light while turning right.
When the officer made the traffic stop on Wall Street, 41-year-old Terrance Parker of Norwalk was found to have a suspended license and also a suspended vehicle registration. Police also allege that Parker smelled of alcohol and became belligerent when the officer informed him that his car was to be towed.
The officer then said that when he told Parker to hand over his keys, Parker started the car and fled the scene. In doing so, he allegedly struck the officer, who was on the driver's side of the car. The officer, whose name was not disclosed, was taken by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Parker's vehicle information was shared with nearby Police Departments. His vehicle was spotted by Westport Police and eventually apprehended on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport.
Parker was charged with Assault on a Police Officer, Interfering with a Police Officer, Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, Operating Under Suspension, Failure to Obey Traffic Control and Failure to Carry Insurance.