Stolen Car Driver Accused Of Hitting Farmington Cop Arraigned

FARMINGTON, CT — The man identified as the driver of a stolen car who hit and seriously injured a Farmington police officer while fleeing authorities is now facing a felony assault charge, authorities said.

Pedro Acevedo, a 32-year-old New Britain resident, was arraigned Tuesday on a warrant, charged with first-degree assault and held on a $750,000 bond.

The crash took place Sept. 20 and Officer James O'Donnell underwent intense surgical procedures and is facing a lengthy recovery period, police said. More surgeries are planned, and Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said, "We hope to get him back in a year." O'Donnell had "devastating pelvic injuries" after being pinned between two cars, Melanson said.

Members of the Farmington Police Department and other police departments were in court. A conviction of first-degree assault carries a mandatory sentence of five years, but, aggregated with his other charges, Acevedo could be facing significantly more prison time, Melanson said.

Acevedo was in custody in Plainville related to a stolen car case, a major factor in identifying the driver so quickly, Melanason said.

Melanson said in relation to Acevedo's criminal history with stolen cars, the Farmington incident was, "an assault on the fabric of civilized society."

Melanson said Acevedo showed "no remorse," when arrested and arraigned, unlike even some homicide suspects he has encountered in his 32 years on the job.

At 12:50 a.m., Sept. 20, Farmington police responded to a report about an active theft involving a motor vehicle in the area of 1 Talcott Notch Road.

The thief attempted to flee the scene, but the car hit O'Donnell, who had just exited his police cruiser, according to a report.

Additional officers pursued the getaway car, which was reported stolen out of Middletown. It crashed into a wooded area, according to a report, and the driver then fled on foot.

Multiple dog teams searched the area, but the driver was not located. Acevedo was picked up by Plainville police less than a week later in a stolen car case and subsequently identified as the driver in the Farmington incident, Melanson said.

O'Donnell was transported to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford via ambulance and underwent extensive surgical procedures, police said.

O'Donnell is a three-year veteran of the department.

The court proceedings included a statement from O'Donnell's wife: