Teen Charged With Striking Police Vehicle In Naugatuck Arrested: Video

NAUGATUCK, CT — A 15-year-old accused of striking a police vehicle and injuring an officer while driving a stolen car has been arrested, police said.

In a news release, police said they were called to a commercial trucking parking lot in the Elm Street area Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. while investigation a report of a stolen 2019 Audi A5.

An officer located the Audi in the parking lot and called for assistance, however the driver fled as the officer drove up to the car, police said.

As a second officer drove into the lot, the Audi emerged from a row of bushes and struck the officer's vehicle, disabling it. Debris from the impact also struck pedestrians walking in the area, police said.

A video of the collision provided by Naugatuck police is included at the bottom of this story.

The officer, Hailey Zarzuela, sustained injuries to her arm and leg. She was taken to Waterbury Hospital, where she was treated and released Tuesday night.

The driver then abandoned the stolen car in a commercial parking lot on Water Street and ran away on foot but was later arrested. The car was found to have been stolen Monday night from Avon, police said.

"As a department, we are thankful Officer Zarzuela's injuries were minor," police said, "as in-car video showed how quickly the incident unfolded."

Police secured an "order to detain" for the teen with assistance from the Waterbury State Attorney's Office. He was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, first-degree larceny by possession, assault on a police officer, interfering with an officer, evading responsibility. reckless driving and operating without a license.

The teen was brought to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center and appeared in court Wednesday morning, police said.