Salem Police Officer Hit by Alleged Drunken Driver

A Salem Police officer was struck by a car on Monday night, but is expected to be OK.

"One of our officers was hit," Salem Police Lt. Ron Peddle said. "The officer's fine."

The incident began at 7:20 p.m. when two officers investigated a report of a suspicious person in the area of 75 South Policy St. A resident had called police to report that an intoxicated person came to his door asking for directions. After getting directions, the suspect drove away in a white pickup truck. The caller said there was a child in the truck.

Officers stopped the suspect on Muse Terrace, a dead-end street. Once the stop was initiated, the suspect drove off, made a quick U-turn, and pointed his car at the officers. He began revving his engine and spinning his tires before driving at both officers, striking one officer in the knee as the officer jumped onto the hood of a cruiser to escape further injury. The officer sustained a minor injury to his leg.

Both officers attempted to pursue the suspect, but lost sight of him in the area of Pleasant and South Policy streets. The vehicle was identified as a White Chevy Silverado with a Massachusetts registration, registered to women in Lowell, MA. Lowell Police were notified, and their dispatchers were able to send Salem Police a photo of the owner's boyfriend, who was positively identified as the driver of the Chevy by both investigating officers.

At 8:30 p.m., Lowell Police took the boyfriend, David Babcock, into custody and held him pending extradition as a fugitive from justice based on the crimes committed in Salem, which include first degree assault, attempted first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

The injured officer has been released from the hospital.