Derry Township PD Officer run down deploying stop sticks

[RyanP]

A Derry Township Police Department, PA, officer was run over by a suspect vehicle while deploying stop sticks in an effort to apprehend the multiple suspects racing on public highways.

The news reports the officer is in critcial condition, some perps in custody, search is still in progress for others. Maryland State Police came up (Maryland border is an hour from here) to assist in the aerial search.

[Rebecca]

I'll keep this man in my thoughts and prayers. Will you let us know how he's improving, Ryan?

[RyanP]

A Derry Twp police officer rn down early yesterday by a group of teens in a stolen car was hospitalized in critical condition last night, authorities said.

Patrolman Timothy Roche, 28, was trying to end a poloce pursuit involving two stolen Hondas by placing spikes across the road when one of the speeding cars struck him about 1:25 a.m., police said.

Roche suffered serious leg and facial injuries. He was taken to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where he underwent surgery twice before noon.

Police Lt. William Smith said Roche, a former Army Captain who joined the force in May 1998, was gravely injured but that doctors were hopeful he can pull through.

"We are cautiously optimistic," Smith said.

The five people involved in the cahse were arrested by 6:30 a.m., police said.

The said James E. Gutshall, who turns 17 today, was driving the car that stuck Roche. The Ephrata youth was charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and a litany of lesser counts.

He was ordered held in Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

"There is case law that a car can be a deadly weapon," Dauhpin County District Attorney Edward M. Marsico, Jr. said. "There is evidence that the defendant was traveling at a high rate of speed, that he did see the officer prior to striking him, knew he hit him, and continued on."

Police said Shawn A. Filson, 19, of Ephrata was the other driver. he wsa charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and lesser chargers and held in the county prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Smith said the drivers were charged with attempted homicide because "they were both involved in the same criminal act."

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The story goes on, but that's the gist of it. They stole these cars, went on a joyride, an officer noticed them, tried to pull them over, but they took off. Roche radioed that he was ahead and deploying the spike belts. The pursuing officer passed right by Roche's car, but did not see the officer and did not realize he was hit. A trucker found the officer along side the road and called for help. The three passengers were juveniles and charged with lesser crimes (related to the theft).

[Rebecca]

It's good news to hear these Officers will pull through this... I just hope it does not take them long to fully recover and get back to work.

A fun night of joy riding turned ugly... and now, those innocent are injured... and those who are just beginning in life have set themselves back many steps. Was it worth it?

Ryan... keep us informed as you hear about the recoveries of the Officers and the outcome for the youths. Please.

[spiritwolf57]

I just read this post and hope the officer recovers soon.Please send my best wishes.