RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Two Raleigh police officers were involved in a crash with another car on Tuesday night, and a juvenile suspect — and two officers — are facing charges.
On Wednesday, RPD said officers were attempting to make a traffic stop before the crash happened just before 8:20 p.m. at Hawkins Street and Kennedy Street.
RPD said the officers tried to pull over a silver Infiniti sedan near New Bern Avenue and North Raleigh Boulevard for what was described as a traffic violation. The driver of the Infiniti did not stop and fled on New Bern Avenue.
Police officers looking for the suspect vehicle ran the stop sign at Hawkins and Kennedy and collided with the Infiniti, which investigators said was speeding with its headlights off.
Both officers and the driver and passenger in the other car were taken to a hospital.
RPD identified the officers involved in the crash as First Class Officer J. Velazquez-Lopez and Officer N. Rickett. Both were treated at a hospital for minor injuries and later released.
The two occupants of the Infiniti are juveniles, RPD said. The driver remains hospitalized, and the passenger has been released.
The 17-year-old driver was charged with misdemeanor flee to elude, driving while license revoked, fictitious tag, failure to register a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without headlights on, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and inspection violation.
The officers were not wearing their seatbelts, and “to ensure accountability,” Officer Velazquez-Lopez was charged with seatbelt violation and stop sign violation, and Officer Rickett was charged with seatbelt violation.
“As Chief of Police, I am aware of the recent vehicle crash involving members of my department, and I am thankful no life-threatening injuries were sustained,” Police Chief Rico Boyce said in a statement. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our officers and everyone in our community.
A preliminary review of the incident indicates that departmental safety policies, specifically the required use of seatbelts, were not followed. We take this matter very seriously. Our policies are in place to protect our personnel and to ensure we model the same standards of safety and accountability that we expect from the community.
“An internal review is underway to fully assess the circumstances surrounding the crash. We are committed to a thorough and transparent process, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings. We recognize that incidents like this can raise concerns in the community. Let me be clear: we hold our officers to high standards, and when those standards are not met, we will address it,m” Boyce added. “We are grateful to the first responders and medical personnel who assisted at the scene.”
The incident remains under investigation.
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