NEW HAVEN, Conn. — An ATV rider was sent to the hospital after losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a police cruiser at East Rock Park over the weekend.
New Haven police responded Sunday afternoon to reports of ATVs entering East Rock Park through the Farnam Drive entrance, which is only open to foot traffic.
Officers saw a "significant number" of people and families at the park, as well as ATVs speeding down the road towards the pedestrians.
Police parked a cruiser at an angle to protect the pedestrians and give a path for the ATVs to pass, officials said.
One ATV lost control and hit the front passenger side window of the cruiser, police said.
The ATV operator was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries, police said.
“This is an unfortunate and stark reminder of the extreme dangers of illegal ATV and dirt bike riding on city streets, both for pedestrians and the operators of the vehicles themselves. Our police officers engaged in a potentially life-saving maneuver on behalf of this family that was in harm’s way,” said New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson. “While we’re glad the family was protected from harm, what happened to the driver is tragic, and we hope for his complete and speedy recovery and we urge the public not to engage in this type of activity."
Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at lmyers@fox61.com
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