A New York State Trooper has been hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries after an auto-theft suspect fled a police checkpoint and ran the Trooper over.

On November 28th, 2021, at approximately 12:45 p.m., NYS Troopers located a reported stolen vehicle headed over the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. As shown in the bystander recorded footage, the law enforcement officers approached the stolen vehicle and began commanding the 21-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger to exit the vehicle.

Refusing to comply, the driver accelerated the vehicle, slamming into two vehicle and additionally striking a NYS Trooper. In response, an officer involved shooting occurred in the dense New York City traffic. Luckily, no one was injured during the shooting.

Traveling several blocks, police eventually caught up to the suspects in Harlem where an arrest was made. The driver was later identified as Jose Viorato. Earlier this month, Viorato was arrested for grand larceny after he reportedly stole a BMW. Viorato was charged unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, vehicular assault, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The 17-year-old was not identified, due to being a minor however he was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, possession of an imitation firearm, obstruction of governmental administration and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.