Colonie police officer injured in car crash; driver faces a host of charges

Jul 22, 2018 Jim Franco Colonie, Crime, News, Towns

COLONIE – A man fleeing police on Central Avenue smashed into a second patrol car, injuring the officer.

According to police, a sergeant spotted a gray Cadillac traveling eastbound in the area of Jupiter Lane at a high rate of speed through the center median on Saturday, July, 21, at around 4 p.m.

The sergeant got the plate number, and when the vehicle slowed near Tanglewood Road, the sergeant activated his lights in an attempt to get the driver, Tommy Ehlers, to pull over.

Ehlers sped off and struck another police officer near Dott Avenue.

The officer was taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment. He was released and no further information is available about his condition.

Ehlers, a 28-year-old from Schenectady, was charged with assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, DWAI by drugs, reckless driving and other vehicle and traffic infractions.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information regarding the incident is asked to call the Colonie Traffic Safety Unit at 518-783-2744.

It is the second time in two days a Colonie police officer was involved in a traffic accident. On Thursday, July 19, an officer hit a Honda Pilot and smashed into a telephone pole while answering what was described as a violent domestic incident.

He was treated at a local hospital and released and no tickets were issued to the driver of the Honda, a 16-year-old from Clifton Park.