Cop, Street Signs Struck By Driver During Manassas Tree Lighting

MANASSAS, VA — An intoxicated driver is facing charges after hitting an officer, police cruisers and road fixtures while the Santa Lights Manassas tree lighting was happening downtown Friday, city police say.

Around 7:43 p.m. Friday, officers were directing traffic at West Street and Center Street when a driver — identified as Jackson Burnley Harlow, 24 ignored officer directions. The driver continued onto West Street, striking a police officer and nearly hitting another that evaded the vehicle, police say. A parked Manassas Police cruiser and road closure fixtures were also hit.

The officer hit by Harlow suffered a minor injury, and the police cruiser became inoperable.

Officers approached the vehicle, but police say the driver again ignored commands to stop.

Harlow then accelerated on West Street toward Prince William Street, swerved onto the sidewalk and struck a street sign. When he turned onto Prince William Street, additional road closure fixtures and two police cruisers were hit before Harlow's vehicle stopped at the intersection with Liberty Street.

Offices arrested Harlow and determined he was intoxicated. He was charged with two counts of attempted malicious wounding, disregard law enforcement officer signal to stop resulting in endangerment, driving under the influence with blood alcohol content greater than .20 percent, obstruction of justice and two counts of hit and run resulting in unattended property damage greater than $250.

Harlow was held without bond.