Caught on video: Car drives on sidewalk while fleeing NYPD during traffic stop in Manhattan
NEW YORK -- Police say an NYPD officer was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The officer was treated and released from the hospital, but the suspect has not been caught.
It happened around 5 p.m. at East 30th Street and Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District.
Video shows one officer hitting the side mirror of a black sedan surrounded by police and other vehicles.
"Both sides of the car had smashed windows. The windshield was smashed," witness Stephan Hanzlik said.
Police say it all started when officers tried to stop the black Cadillac at 38th Street and Seventh Avenue, but the driver took off. They spotted it again at Madison and 30th.
"We heard a loud crash," witness Monisha Rana said.
Watch: Alecia Reid's report
Video shows the driver tries to get away by backing up but ends up hitting an officer. The suspect can then be seen barreling onto the sidewalk, crashing into an outdoor eating structure and weaving down the street before taking down a street sign and a hydrant.
"We went onto the terrace and then we just saw massive police cars coming from everywhere and people running," Rana said.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Lexington Avenue after colliding with a vehicle. Witnesses say the driver took off on foot and ran into a nearby building.
Long Island resident Eitin Zar, who drove into the city for lunch, says the suspect's vehicle came to a halt next to his, and his car is now part of the crime scene.
"If he was like half an inch away, he would've scraped my car and probably done more damage to it. Everybody is telling me, you know, I'm really lucky. It could be worse, you know," Zar said.
"This is New York City. A lot of stuff happens. You always think it's never going to happen to you. I think New Yorkers are vigilant, alert people and probably more so these days. You used to be able to be a little more casual and keep your face in your phone, but now you kinda gotta be looking around and be aware of your surroundings," resident Rachel Dowling said.
It isn't clear why the vehicle was stopped initially, but police say the suspect was seen with an illegal firearm in the vehicle. He is described as a middle-aged man with a green mohawk.
The officer was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has been released.
