Alleged Drug Dealer Who Rammed Police Cars Didn't Know Cops Were Inside

The Newark man who led police on a multi-state search after intentionally driving a vehicle into two unmarked police cars had his quarter-million dollar bail held and told the court he didn’t know police officers were inside the cars he smashed.

According to nj.com, Terrel Hyman said the cars he crashed into were unmarked and the occupants – two in one car, one in a second car – had ski masks on. Hyman then abandoned the vehicle and fled to upstate New York before authorities tracked him down the following day.

Hyman was sought after a seven-month long investigation into drug dealings in the area, the report said.

Hyman’s bail, originally established at $250,000, was held by a Superior Court Judge in Morristown, the report said.

Hyman was previously convicted of manslaughter and was on parole through Essex County after serving a prison sentence, the report said. Even if he posts bail in Morris County, he won’t be released because of the parole violation, the report said.

Police made contact with Hyman on Dec. 18 and “created a tense scene by fleeing at a high rate of speed,” according to Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp.

While fleeing, Hyman allegedly intentionally rammed a police vehicle with two uniformed officers inside, and another vehicle with a plain-clothed officer inside, Knapp said.

Hyman’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the vicinity of several commercial buildings in Morristown.

Investigators searched Hyman’s Newark residence where they found several hundred bags of heroin packaged for street level distribution and a loaded handgun, Knapp said.

Authorities were able to determine Hyman left the state and was at a residence in Rockland County, New York.

In conjunction with the Haverstraw Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies, authorities were able to take Hyman into custody on Friday, Dec. 19, Knapp said.

Hyman is charged with eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, possession of a handgun while committing a drug offense, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of heroin.