Belleville Police Officer Hit By Fleeing Car, Suspect Arrested (UPDATED)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A suspect fleeing from police hit an officer with their car on Sunday night in Belleville, authorities say.

The incident took place around 7:45 p.m. on Mill Street near Branch Brook Park as officers were trying to apprehend a fleeing suspect, according to statements from Mayor Frank Vélez, the Belleville Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities said Belleville officers in a marked patrol car tried to pull over a BMW sedan with fake Connecticut license plates near Mill and Main streets.

The driver ignored the patrol car's flashing emergency lights and sirens and fled westbound on Mill Street, entering Branch Brook Park, authorities said.

The vehicle continued until it reached a portion of the roadway that was closed to traffic. The officers got out of their car and tried to apprehend the driver, who then struck one of them with the car, causing the officer to be thrown onto the hood, police said.

The officer fired his weapon during the incident. No civilians or officers were struck by gunfire, authorities said.

The suspect – later identified as Damien Sulewski, 22 – was apprehended at a gas station in the City of New Britain in Connecticut early Monday morning, Connecticut State Police reported.

Sulewski faces charges of aggravated assault, eluding and weapons related offenses, Belleville police said.

The injured officer and his partner were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Clara Maass Medical Center, authorities said.

“On behalf of the Township of Belleville, our thoughts and prayers are with both officers and their families,” Vélez said.

Related: CT Man Captured After Hitting NJ Cop With Vehicle: Police

Related: See Latest Violent Crime Numbers For Belleville, Nutley

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