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The incident started around 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, when the Riverhead Police Department learned a police pursuit had entered into Riverhead from the Southold area on Sound Avenue, said Riverhead Town Police Det. Michael Schmidt.
According to Schmidt, several police agencies were involved in attempting to stop a vehicle in connection with an incident that took place in Southold.
A marked Riverhead Police unit was attempting to respond to the area of the pursuit to assist and while doing so, was involved in a crash.
The unit was northbound on Osborne Avenue in the area of Youngs Avenue with its emergency lights activated when it was involved in the crash, Schmidt said.
The marked unit was attempting to pass a second vehicle when the vehicle attempted to make a left turn and hit the passing police car. As a result, the police vehicle left the roadway and struck a fence.
The officer involved sustained serious physical injuries and was treated by members of River Ambulance while being transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, Schmidt said.
The officer was later flown via medivac to Stonybrook University Hospital due to the extent and seriousness of his injuries, he added.
The officer is listed in stable, but serious condition at this time.
The area of the roadway where the crash took place was closed for several hours as Suffolk County detectives conducted an investigation.
The driver of the second vehicle was not injured.
The vehicle being pursued by officers fled onto Roanoke Avenue where the driver jumped out and fled on foot in the area of the First Street parking lot in Riverhead.
He remains at large at this time, Schmidt said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-727-3333.
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