WPRO News and Associated Press
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island State Police and local police say a Cranston officer fired his service weapon when he was struck by a motor vehicle operated by a suspect trying to flee arrest on drug charges.
The Pawtucket Times reported that Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist says the unidentified Cranston officer was struck Saturday by the vehicle and had minor injuries. He was investigating a suspected narcotics transaction in a parking lot.
Police say Alicia Mattera of Central Falls was the operator of a vehicle and held a small bag believed to hold cocaine.
The 36-year-old Mattera is accused of shifting the vehicle into reverse, trapping the officer before striking the front of the unmarked police cruiser.
It was not known Monday if Mattera is represented by a lawyer.
Police are investigating.
