MANHATTAN MAN INDICTED FOR DRAGGING NYPD OFFICER WITH HIS VEHICLE DURING TRAFFIC STOP

 

Officer Suffered a Fractured Ankle in Attack Caught on Body Camera Footage

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan man has been indicted on Aggravated Assault Upon a Police or a Peace Officer, first-degree Assault and numerous other charges for injuring an NYPD officer with his vehicle during a traffic stop.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was allegedly weaving through oncoming traffic and driving through red lights. When Police stopped the defendant and entered the vehicle, he allegedly put the car in drive and accelerated, dragging the officer, and injuring her. His alleged actions not only recklessly put the officers at risk, but also members of the community.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Usman Haruna, 23, of Manhattan, was arraigned today on Aggravated Assault Upon a Police or a Peace Officer, first-degree Assault, Assault on a Peace Officer, Police Officer, Fireman, or Emergency Medical Services Professional; four counts of second-degree Assault, second-degree Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, third-degree Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, three counts of thirddegree Assault, second-degree Reckless Endangerment, fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving, second-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, third-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Beth Beller.

 According to the investigation on December 12, 2021, in the Fordham section of the Bronx, the defendant allegedly refused to pull over during a traffic stop near 194th Street and Marion Avenue. Haruna allegedly drove into oncoming traffic, through red lights, speeding, and at one point steered onto the sidewalk in an effort to avoid traffic. Police approached the vehicle, and the defendant allegedly punched one officer who attempted to put the vehicle in park. Another officer tried to open the front driver side door, and the defendant allegedly pushed her out of the vehicle, put the car into drive, accelerated and ran over the officer’s foot. He then crashed into another car. The officer sustained a fractured ankle and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Daniel Trancucci of the 52nd Precinct for his assistance in the investigation.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt.