NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—An unidentified city police officer was injured after being dragged 50 feet by a motor vehicle shortly after 2:30am this morning.

Police arrested 24-year-old Donnell Cook after a chase that ended in a crash with a parked vehicle, and left the officer in Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital.

“The officer sustained multiple broken bones, abrasions and internal injuries as a result of a motor vehicle incident,” reads the official press release.

Authorities said that, after dragging the officer approximately 50 feet, the suspect crashed and began assaulting the injured officer and attempting to disarm him.

A press statement from Police Director Anthony Caputo said that Cook had been charged with “numerous pending charges,” but did not specify which ones.  It also said Cook had “multiple warrants for unrelated incidents.”

Within minutes, EMS and fire personnel were dispatched the scene.  Both Rutgers University and New Brunswick officers were on the scene to arrest Cook.

“I commend the officer for fighting off the suspect’s attempt to disarm him, despite his serious injuries”, said Director Caputo.

“The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be provided at a later date,” read the release.

The New Brunswick Apartments, despite their location just behind the Rutgers University Police Department’s headquarters, have been a hotspot for crime this summer.

Last month, city police announced two city residents were arrested at the 15-building complex, and charged with cocaine distribution and handgun possession.

Then, on July 26, a man was shot in the leg at the apartments, but as we reported this weekend, no press release was issued for that incident.  Authorities said that the victim and witnesses were uncooperative in their investigation.

After another shooting this Saturday damaged four automobiles in a parking lot, police announced they would be instituting a greater presence at the complex.

US Congressman Frank Pallone visited the complex’s National Night Out anti-crime event on Tuesday, roughly 30 hours before the officer was injured.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.