Video released of car that struck Newark police officer: Help find driver

NEWARK — Police have released a video of the vehicle that allegedly struck and injured a 46-year-old member of the Newark Police Department's 3rd Precinct.

Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said the 15-year member of the department was getting items out of his personal vehicle Sunday morning when the incident occurred at at about 7:51 a.m. at Market and Read streets.

Ambrose said the vehicle that struck the officer was described as a Silver Toyota Matrix CUV and the impact caused him "to be thrown toward his vehicle."

"The suspect vehicle stopped monetarily before ignoring the officer’s commands to stop and pull over," Ambrose said in a statement Sunday, adding that the suspect then sped off, heading east on market Street.

The officer was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was listed in stable condition Sunday, police say.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to call the Newark police Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips are kept confidential. Ambrose said, and information leading to an arrest and conviction could result in a reward.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.