Philadelphia Police Officers Richard Hayes and George Higginson had just taken one apparently intoxicated driver off the road early yesterday in the city's Bridesburg section.
That's when another man allegedly driving under the influence crashed into their traffic stop, injuring both officers, one of whom remains in critical condition, according to police.
And in a brazen move, the driver of the first car - whom they'd placed in custody in the rear of their cruiser - used the crash as his chance to get away by kicking out a rear window of the patrol car and running away handcuffed, police said.
But both drivers were arrested shortly after the accident and now each faces a slew of charges.
Higginson, 25, and Hayes, 28, assigned to the 24th District, headquartered at 3901 Whitaker Avenue, pulled over the first car about 1:25 a.m. at Aramingo Avenue near Church Street on suspicion of DUI, police said.
The officers were leaning into the suspect's vehicle, conducting a search, when a Honda Ridgeline driven by John Cusick, 20, of Bristol, sideswiped the cruiser and slammed into the civilian vehicle, sending one officer flying, police said.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told reporters that Cusick was traveling at a high rate of speed, but said that it's unclear if he was drag racing.
Hayes, a seven-year veteran, was taken to Aria Health's Frankford campus and later was transferred to the hospital's Torresdale campus.
He had a severe head injury and facial fractures, and remained in critical condition last night, according to police.
Higginson, a two-year veteran, was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he received a number of stitches to his face.
He was listed in stable condition.
The driver who had broke the cruiser window and ran away handcuffedwas apprehended shortly after by an off-duty officer who became suspicions when he saw the man running down the street wearing handcuffs, police said.
The driver's identity was not released.
Although police didn't immediately have a complete list of charges against the first driver, a spokesperson said that he's expected to be charged with DUI and fleeing the scene, at the least.
Cusick has been charged with DUI, aggravated assault, aggravated assault while DUI, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. *
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