Hit-and-run escalates: Officer hurt, man jailed

One police officer narrowly averted injury and another was treated and released from the hospital after a harrowing chase that led to the arrest of a West Grove man.

Pedro
Pedro Carrilo-Lopez

New Garden Township Police gave this account in a press release:

On Sunday, Oct. 23, at 7:01 p.m., two uniformed New Garden officers, who were not identified, were responding to a collision on Gap Newport Pike near the intersection of Crossan Lane when they learned that the driver of the striking vehicle was trying to flee. Upon arrival, the police officers located his vehicle on Crossan Lane with smoke emanating from the engine.

As one of the officers approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as 23-year-old Pedro Carrilo-Lopez, accelerated and drove the vehicle toward the approaching officer. The officer had to jump from the oncoming path of the vehicle to avoid being struck. The vehicle then abruptly stopped, and Carrilo-Lopez exited and fled.

The second police officer chased Carrilo-Lopez, who refused commands to stop before being tackled by the officer. During an ensuing struggle, during which Carrilo-Lopez actively resisted arrest, striking the officer in his face with his elbows and fists, both the officer and Carrilo-Lopez fell down a 12-foot grassy berm. The officer then utilized his department-issued Conducted Electronic Weapon, also known as a Taser, to subdue Carrilo-Lopez and take him into custody.

During processing, officers said they detected a strong odor of alcohol from Carrilo-Lopez and observed additional signs of intoxication. During a search of his vehicle, officers located additional alcohol and evidence of consumption throughout the interior, the release said.

Police learned during the investigation that the driver rear-ended by Carrilo-Lopez had slowed for traffic that was stopped ahead when the crash occurred. The victim stated that Carrilo-Lopez then backed up at a high rate of speed, struck a utility pole, and fled before police arrived, the release said.

Carrilo-Lopez was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Matthew Seavey on charges that included aggravated assault against an officer, reckless endangerment, DUI and numerous traffic offenses. He was remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post $250,000 cash bail, the release said.

 

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