Exclusive: Bullet from police chase strikes Port Washington woman's car
Police allege the officer fired his weapon when a teen came close to striking him with a vehicle.
A Port Washington woman says she is grateful she wasn’t hurt after a police officer fired his weapon during a high-speed chase and a bullet struck her parked car.
Stevie Hill discovered a hole in the front bumper of her vehicle after an officer allegedly shot at a teenager who prosecutors say drove a stolen car directly at police during a chase Wednesday on Derby Road.
“It’s still pretty strange having a bullet hole in my car,” Hill said.
Hill said she was outside when she heard gunshots.
“I was outside. I heard gunshots. I heard three,” she said.
Prosecutors say a 15-year-old, driving a stolen vehicle and fleeing police, aimed the car toward an officer who was attempting to stop him on Derby Road. Police allege the officer fired his weapon when the teen came close to striking him with the vehicle.
Hill said she was relieved she was not near her car when the shot was fired.
“I’m safe. I’m glad I’m safe and I wasn’t there by the car or in the car,” she said.
News 12 is not naming or showing the teenager because of his age. Prosecutors say he is being charged with attempted murder for allegedly driving the vehicle at the officer.
Neighbors say the incident has shaken the normally quiet block.
“What would make you do something like that, I don’t know,” said Betty Affisco, of Port Washington. “I have no idea what he was thinking.”
Prosecutors say the teen allegedly stole his mother’s vehicle earlier that day and crashed it while running from police. They say he then stole another SUV, struck several other vehicles and was ultimately arrested at the Americana Manhasset mall.
“Definitely unfortunate, and I’m glad no one was seriously hurt,” said Andrew Zuckerman.
Hill said her concern extends beyond the damage to her car.
“I feel bad for the people that were involved. I feel bad for the police officer who had to make that decision. I feel bad for the juvenile who is now going through what he’s going through. I feel bad for his mother,” she said.
