Man Hit 2 Philly Cops With Car While Fleeing Traffic Stop: Police

PHILADELPHIA — Two Philadelphia Police officers were struck by a vehicle attempting to flee a traffic stop early Thursday morning, according to authorities.

The incident began at about 1:04 a.m. on 19th Street in the 14th Police District when police tried to stop a vehicle that drove through two stop signs.

Police initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle, a Nissan Altima, stopped in the middle of the street.

Authorities said the diver, later identified as 28-year-old Paul Reid, was seen reaching beneath the seat.

Police said drug packaging in the vehicle when the approached it, and that Reid could not provide a license or registration.

Reid was told to get out of the vehicle, but he put it in neutral and revved the engine, according to police.

One officer tried to stop Reid from driving off, and Reid then dug his fingernails into the officer, cutting the officer, police said. That officer’s activated body-worn camera came off and fell inside the vehicle.

Another officer tried to help his comrades and somehow put the vehicle into drive, police said. Reid hit the gas, striking two officers, authorities said. They suffered minor abrasions and contusions.

Reid drove off, heading north on 19th Street, then west on 73rd Street, police said.

The vehicle was later recovered in the 7400 block of Andrews Avenue, and the body camera was located nearby on the highway.

Not long after, police secured a property on the same block after unsuccessful attempts to contact the occupants, and a barricade situation was declared.

SWAT responded and following a 20-minute standoff, Reid was taken into custody without further incident.

He was charged with aggravated assault, assault on law enforcement, possession of narcotics, and related offenses, police said.