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Meanwhile, a second officer involved in the incident was transported to Baystate Medical Center where he was treated for a head injury and released, police said.
The driver is not believed to have been struck by the officer’s bullets as he fled the scene, police said. Police continue to search for the suspect who is described as a young, white man with light hair. He was driving a Honda with a false license plate.
As is standard procedure, the officer who fired his gun has turned the weapon into the police department and is being investigated by internal affairs. This process happens every time an officer fires a weapon at a person regardless of context.
The safety of the officers was threatened during a crackdown on illegal drag racing in Springfield. It all started around 2:30 a.m., Sunday when an officer stopped a car on Plainfield Street near the on-ramp to Interstate 291.
A second officer arrived as back-up. While he was in his vehicle, a woman - unrelated to the traffic stop - allegedly rear-ended the cruiser causing the officer to hit his head on the steering wheel, police said.
The woman was arrested on driving under the influence charges, police said.
At some point, the suspect who had been pulled over backed up his car and attempted to flee. The first officer got out of his cruiser to get the driver to stop. Then the driver allegedly put the car in forward and veered toward the officer. The officer was between the oncoming car and his own cruiser, police said. This is when the officer fired his gun at the vehicle.
Police made eight arrests this weekend as part of the anti-drag racing initiative. Most of the arrests were on charges such as loitering or other misdemeanors, Masslive reported.
Anyone with information about drag racing or the man who allegedly tried to run down an officer, contact police by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) or call 911.
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