The officer injured recently when a man fled a traffic stop and veered into a pole suffered several broken bones and had his arm amputated, a detective testified Tuesday.
The driver, Naqeeb Mufallah, 31, intentionally veered toward the pole to shake officer Kevin Van Wert loose from his car, the detective said.
The traffic stop happened around 10:45 p.m. April 14 at the Meijer Gas Station on Ruccio Way. Police said Van Wert pulled over Mufallah because his rear license plate was not illuminated, and Mufallah drove off the officer was leaning into his window.
Mufallah fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. He is charged with first-degree assault of a police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, leaving the scene of an accident or failure to render aid with death or serious physical injury, rear license plate not illuminated and a probation violation…