Three Police Officers Injured While Chasing Hit-&-Run Suspect

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Three Worcester Police officers were injured while pursuing a suspect involved in a hit-and-run in the area of Water and Harrison St.

One officer injured his hand, one injured his head, and the officer who fell off the retaining wall with the suspect injured his knee.

Christian Millett, 23, is charged with eight counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (car), two counts of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (car), Resisting Arrest, Operating to Endanger, Failure to Stop for Police, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and multiple civil motor vehicle violations.

The Incident

On Sunday, September 17, at about 2 a.m., several officers had responded to the area of Water St and Harrison St for a report of a large fight. The officers were moving the large crowd along while preventing further outbreaks of violence. One car, driven by Millett, was driving a Toyota Camry the wrong way down Water St, which is a one-way-street, and struck three parked cars. An officer posted at Kelley Square broadcast on the radio for the officers at Water and Harrison Street to stop this vehicle.

Millett had turned his car around, and was driving his Toyota at a high rate of speed down Water St toward the intersection of Water and Harrison St. Several officers were in the road with their arms out, motioning for Millett to stop. Millett accelerated the car as he approached the officers in the roadway, causing several officers and some citizens to dive out of the way to avoid being run over.

Due to the reckless nature of Millett’s driving and the strong probability that he would have hurt someone if left alone, officers pursued Millett’s Toyota. Millett continued driving recklessly and showing no care for the safety of others while leading a pursuit across the East side of the city. He ended up driving into and colliding with two cruisers during the pursuit, in what looked to be intentional acts. Eventually, Millett crashed his car into a large retaining wall on St. Vincent’s Hospital property on Major Taylor Boulevard. When he realized the vehicle was disabled, he got out and attempted to run away. An officer caught up to him, there was a brief struggle, and they both fell over a wall that was approximately eight feet high. Millett was placed in handcuffs, and was given medical attention.

As a result of the attempt to take Millett into custody, three officers were injured.

Millett was placed under arrest.