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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Suspect Cleared of Dragging Police Officer Behind ATV

Suspect in ATV Attack
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NYPD

BROOKLYN — A man accused of dragging a police officer behind an ATV for half an East New York block has been cleared, an NYPD spokesman said.

That means the hunt continues for the ATV's driver.

Two officers in an unmarked police car tried to stop a man they spotted weaving in and out of traffic on a four-wheeler near Pitkin Avenue and Lincoln Avenue about 3:40 p.m. Sunday, according to the NYPD.

When they jumped out of their car, the driver plowed into them, striking a 40-year-old officer who grabbed hold of the handle bars and was dragged about 190 feet, police said.

The officer, whose name was not released, let go and his left leg was run over, police said.

He was in stable condition at Jamaica Hospital, where he was being treated for cuts to his left leg, a broken vertebra, a broken nose and facial bruises, police said.

Police released surveillance footage Tuesday of a man on an ATV whom they said was the same driver who injured the officer. 

Police had initially pegged the ATV assault on Christian Oliviere, whom they had spotted driving erratically while canvassing the area after the officer was injured, a police spokesman said. 

Oliviere was later found to have no connection to the incident, the spokesman said.

Witnesses directed officers to an auto shop at 257 Hegeman Ave., near Christopher Avenue, where Oliviere's ATV was parked outside, according to the NYPD.

Officers found Oliviere hiding in a car that had been hoisted on a mechanical lift, police said.

He initially faced charges of attempted murder of a police officer and assault on a police officer, but was arraigned on lesser charges Monday night after further investigation cleared him, according to court records and a police spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).