Police Chase In Montclair After Vehicle Hits Officer: UPDATED

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A vehicle struck a Montclair police officer on Tuesday, setting off a police car chase that ended with the apprehension of two suspects, authorities said.

The officer is being treated at a nearby hospital, a Montclair police spokesperson said.

A pair of suspects are in custody, the spokesperson added, referring further questions to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The prosecutor's office released an update on Wednesday afternoon:

"The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, a Montclair police officer stopped a vehicle for various motor violations. During the course of the stop, it was learned that the suspect vehicle had been reported stolen. The suspect vehicle fled. While fleeing, the driver struck a Montclair police officer. Montclair police engaged the suspect vehicle which traveled into Newark. The incident ended in the area of North 6th Street when the suspect vehicle struck a parked car owned by a civilian."

Two police officers and a civilian were injured. Those injuries are non-life-threatening, prosecutors said.

Montclair Councilman Peter Yacobellis issued a statement about the incident on Tuesday night.

“I'm saddened by the news that one of Montclair's finest was struck by an automobile earlier today,” Yacobellis said. “This was an unfortunate reminder that our police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe.”

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