Worcester officer's foot run over in traffic stop, 2 arrested

  • WORCESTER — A Worcester police officer was injured Monday night when a vehicle sped away during a traffic stop, running over the officer’s foot, police said.

    The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. near Quinsigamond Avenue after officers stopped a vehicle with a revoked registration. The driver, identified as Pedro Echevarria Jr., 22, initially cooperated but then accelerated, hitting an officer’s foot as he fled the scene, police said. The officer was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

    Echevarria led police on a pursuit through city streets, endangering pedestrians and drivers, before coming to a stop near Russell Street and Elm Park, according to authorities. Both Echevarria and his passenger, Isaiah Small, 20, were arrested without further incident.

    A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded gun behind the driver’s seat. Neither man had a license to carry guns in Massachusetts, police said.

    Echevarria faces multiple charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, gun possession, and fleeing from police. Small also faces gun-related charges.

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