An Amityville man has been accused of causing a Nassau County police officer who was chasing him to crash her patrol car in North Massapequa five months ago.
Police arrested Louie Blanton on Wednesday. The 23-year-old man was charged with assault, unlawfully fleeing a police officer, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Police said the officer began chasing Blanton’s vehicle after a witness reported two suspicious men switching its license plates on a side street Nov. 21.
Blanton allegedly fled onto the Southern State Parkway eastbound, then slammed on the brakes near the exit for Route 110 in Farmingdale, causing the officer to crash her patrol car into the center guardrail and another vehicle.
The officer, a 20-year veteran of the department, was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center, where she was treated. She is reportedly now recovering at home.
Two people in the vehicle that the officer’s patrol car struck were not injured.
Blanton will be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.