LAKEWOOD — A police officer was struck by a vehicle as he walked toward it on Thursday.

Lakewood Police vehicle
Lakewood Police vehicle (Lakewood Scoop)
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As Officer Tyler Distefano and Detective Sgt. Jason Pederson walked toward a parked Nissan Altima on Locust Street, the car drove straight at them, hitting Pederson, according to Lakewood Police spokesman Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith. Pederson landed on the hood and then rolled to the ground.

The officers were investigating "suspicious activity" involving the distribution of illegal drugs, according to Staffordsmith.

The Nissan drove off and was later found by Jackson Police on Bluebell Court, just over the border with Lakewood. After police set up a perimeter around the home, the driver of the Nissan, Rashad Anderson, 30, was taken into custody around 9:20 p.m.

Anderson will likely face criminal charges for aggravated assault of a police officer as well as eluding, according to Staffordsmith.

Pederson was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood to be checked over, and was released.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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