R.I. man arrested after hit-and-run crash that injured Salem police officer

"Lucas David Fulcar-Bautista, 33, of Coventry, R.I., was arraigned in Salem District Court on charges of trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, disorderly conduct, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and failure to stop for police, Salem police said in a statement."

"At about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, the officer was conducting a narcotics investigation near 12 Pope St., according to police. Fulcar-Bautista allegedly drove over a curb and onto a sidewalk, striking the officer and causing him to be thrown onto the hood of the vehicle before falling to the ground. A second officer took evasive action to avoid being struck, and Fulcar-Bautista fled the scene, police said. The injured officer was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and released early the following morning."

"Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller thanked the community for their "support and concern for our injured officer that flooded the department through calls, emails, and other messages." "We pride ourselves in looking out for the wellbeing of our community," Miller said in the statement. "It is immensely gratifying to know that members of the community feel the same about their police officers.""

Lucas David Fulcar-Bautista, 33, of Coventry, R.I., allegedly drove over a curb onto a sidewalk and struck a Salem police officer conducting a narcotics investigation near 12 Pope St. at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, throwing the officer onto the hood before he fell to the ground. A second officer avoided being struck as Fulcar-Bautista fled the scene. The injured officer was treated at a nearby hospital and released the following morning. An extensive multi-state search led to Fulcar-Bautista's arrest in Lawrence. He was arraigned on multiple charges including trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl and ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

Read at Boston.com