SPRINGFIELD — A man was arrested early Saturday after he crashed into a police cruiser for the second time and then tried to flee, Springfield police said.
Jose Morales-Velasquez, 28, allegedly slammed into the rear of the cruiser with his vehicle around 1:25 a.m. The officers had been responding to another motor vehicle accident at Chestnut Street and State Street and had their emergency lights on when Morales-Velasquez approached at a high rate of speed, according to authorities.
After the collision, which injured both officers in the cruiser, Morales-Velasquez attempted to leave the scene on foot.
The officers, who were transported to Mercy to evaluate their injuries, were able to provide a description before being taken to the hospital.
Police found Morales-Velasquez on Chestnut Street and arrested him.
He did not have a driver’s license and gave a false name during the booking process.
Fingerprinting later confirmed his identity and revealed an outstanding warrant from a previous incident where he had also struck a Springfield police cruiser in June 2022.
Morales-Velasquez faces multiple charges, including operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, providing a false name, and an arrest warrant related to charges including OUI – liquor or .08%, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, possession of an open container of alcohol, improper turn, speeding, and obstructing a stationary emergency vehicle.
