BRONX, N.Y. — A Manhattan man was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison for running over an NYPD officer after a high-speed chase in the Bronx that ended in a violent confrontation captured on body-camera footage, authorities said.
Usman Haruna, 27, was convicted by a jury on March 12 of second-degree assault and several related charges stemming from a December 2021 incident in the Fordham section. Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio handed down the sentence, which includes an additional three years of post-release supervision.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said Haruna led officers on a mile-and-a-half chase after refusing to pull over near 194th Street and Marion Avenue. “For over a mile and half, the driver weaved in and out of traffic, ran red lights and stop signs, and put the lives of drivers and pedestrians at risk,” Clark said.
After crashing his vehicle, Haruna struck one officer who had entered his car, then pushed another officer out of the driver’s seat before accelerating and running over her hip and leg. She sustained a fractured ankle, prosecutors said.
Haruna was additionally sentenced to 364 days each for second-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer and resisting arrest, 180 days for aggravated unlicensed operation, and fined a total of $650 for driving offenses. All sentences will run concurrently.
Key points
- Usman Haruna was sentenced to six years in prison for injuring an NYPD officer during a high-speed chase.
- The incident began with a failed traffic stop and ended when Haruna ran over the officer’s leg after a crash.
- He was convicted by a jury in March and sentenced Wednesday in Bronx Supreme Court.
Incident began with traffic stop refusal
According to the investigation, the December 12, 2021, incident began when Haruna refused to pull over during a traffic stop. He then drove into oncoming lanes, sped through red lights, and even mounted a sidewalk to avoid traffic.
When officers approached the vehicle to disable it, Haruna punched one officer attempting to place the vehicle in park. As another officer opened the driver’s door, Haruna shoved her out and accelerated, running her over before colliding with another vehicle.
The officer was hospitalized and diagnosed with a fractured ankle as a result of the impact. Body-camera footage captured the sequence, which was later used as evidence in court.
Prosecutors argued Haruna displayed a “callous disregard” for police and public safety. He was driving with a suspended license at the time of the incident, officials said.