Assaulting East Whiteland Cop With A Car Lands Man Behind Bars

WEST CHESTER, PA—A 25-year-old Philadelphia man was sentenced to 5½-11 years in state prison for assaulting an East Whiteland Township police officer with his car in 2021 after fleeing from a police stop in West Goshen Township.

Mikal Johnson pleaded guilty before Judge David Bortner on June 8 to aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer and fleeing and eluding police.

“Law enforcement serves as community protectors,” District Attorney Deb Ryan said.
"But when someone injures one of our protectors, the law must protect them.”

Ryan said that Johnson’s decision to strike a police officer with his vehicle was a deliberate, intentional, and premeditated act and shows that he has no regard for human life.

“Thankfully, the officer wasn’t killed, but the serious injuries he suffered – and still deals with today – are a direct result of the defendant’s criminal actions,” Ryan said. “My office will not stand for any harm that is done against law enforcement.”

According to police:

• Johnson was pulled over by a West Goshen police officer, but immediately fled at a high rate of speed, police said.
• A short time later, the defendant’s car was seen getting gas at a Wawa on Lancaster Avenue in East Whiteland.
• An East Whiteland officer blocked the front of the car and began talking with the defendant.
• The defendant suddenly accelerated in reverse, trapping the officer between the driver and the driver’s door, forcing him to hold onto the car to avoid being run over.
• The officer eventually jumped from the vehicle, which caused him to strike his head on the pavement.