A Rhode Island man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that injured a police officer in Salem, Massachusetts, earlier this month.
Lucas David Fulcar-Bautista, 33, was arrested in Lawrence on Wednesday. The Coventry, Rhode Island resident faces drug trafficking and assault charges in connection with a crash on Pope Street on Jan. 15.
Salem police said their officer was conducting a narcotics investigation when she was hit by a car that fled the scene around 8:30 p.m., according to police. The officer, who was conscious and alert, was immediately taken to Salem Hospital to be evaluated and treated for minor injuries.
Another Salem police officer spotted the vehicle around 3 a.m. Friday on Jackson Street as it was being towed. The officer immediately stopped the tow truck and confirmed that the car – which had its license plates switched, according to police – was the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.
Police say this is an isolated incident stemming from the narcotics investigation, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The injured officer, who name has not been shared publicly, was released from the hospital early Friday morning and is expected to make a full recovery, according to police, who said they are grateful for the outpouring of concern for her.
“I want to sincerely thank the people of Salem for the support and concern for our injured officer that flooded the department through calls, emails and other messages,” Chief Lucas Miller wrote in a media statement Wednesday. “We pride ourselves in looking out for the wellbeing of the community. It is immensely gratifying to know that members of the community feel the same about their police officers.”
