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Jaheem Funderburke, 17, was arraigned Thursday, May 9, on charges including unlawful fleeing a police officer, reckless driving, and two counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance, said Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini.
According to the DA's Ofice, around 11:15 p.m. March 8, Suffolk County police officers were responding to a 911 call about a suspicious vehicle near 147 Peterson Street in Brentwood. A responding officer approached the vehicle and asked the driver for identification.
The driver then put the vehicle in reverse before accelerating forward, striking the police officer in the hip and causing him to fall to the ground. The officer sustained several physical injuries.
Funderburke continued to drive in a reckless manner, reaching speeds of over 100 mph, and was last seen heading northbound on Route 111. Police terminated the pursuit and he was not apprehended, the DA's Office said.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. on March 9, Suffolk County Sixth Precinct officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Gordon Road and Granny Road in Medford. Funderburke was driving a 2018 Mazda 6 northbound on Gordon Road when his vehicle struck a 2001 Nissan, driven by a 42-year-old Medford woman. The woman suffered minor injuries, they added.
Funderburke and two passengers in the Mazda allegedly fled the scene on foot and were apprehended at approximately 7:15 p.m. by Suffolk County Police Canine Section officers in a wooded area south of Dourland Road. Funderburke was allegedly found in possession of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, the DA's Office said.
An investigation revealed that Funderburke was also the driver who allegedly struck a police officer and fled the scene on March 8.
He is being held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. He is due back in court on May 30.
If convicted, Funderburke faces a maximum sentence of up to 16 years in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Varuolo, of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.
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