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A 24-year-old man was hit by a police car as he was running from federal immigration authorities who were attempting to arrest him.
The incident unfolded Friday morning at the Danbury Superior Court where Samuel Cruz of Danbury was appearing in court on assault and disorderly conduct charges in connection with a domestic violence case, said Danbury Police Sgt. John Krupinsky.
It was determined that Cruz was wanted for a deportation warrant and ran from ICE agents when they attempted to apprehend him on the steps of the Superior Court House, said Det. Lt. Mark Williams.
According to Krupinsky, Cruz ran onto White Street with ICE agents chasing him when he took a quick right into the roadway and right into the path of a Brookfield police officer who was just driving up to the courthouse on another matter.
After being hit by the unmarked red Ford Taurus police cruiser, Cruz was thrown about 10 feet in the air and landed in the middle of the roadway.
"The officer driving the car that hit Cruz was not involved in the pursuit in any way," he added.
Cruz tried to get off the ground, but was handcuffed by ICE agents before being taken to Danbury Hospital for unspecified injuries, Krupinsky said.
The motorist who struck Cruz was slightly injured by broken glass, as the front windshield of his car was crushed by Cruz’s impact, said Williams.
Prior to leaving the accident scene, the assigned Danbury Police accident investigator issued Cruz an infraction for reckless use of the highway by a pedestrian, Williams added.
ICE officials said Cruz was treated at Danbury Hospital and subsequently medically cleared and discharged.
"The man is now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States pursuant to an order of removal o issued by an Immigration Judge on Dec. 4, 2013," ICE officials said.
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