A Philadelphia woman accused of running over a police officer has been charged with attempted murder.
Authorities said Angela Hall, 41, was fleeing from the scene of a looting at a beauty supply store in Philadelphia on May 30 when she struck officer Tony Nieves, who had tried to stop her.
She was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other offenses.
Video footage shows several people carrying merchandise out of the store while Hall waited in a vehicle outside, according to District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“This individual’s criminal actions are egregious and resulted in serious, possibly permanent injuries to a police officer who was responding to a situation that was already dangerous,” Krasner said. “My thoughts are with this officer and his loved ones at this time: I hope your recovery will be speedy and complete.”
Nieves suffered injuries including a broken arm, 12 broken ribs, a shattered sternum, and several fractured vertebrae in his neck and back.
“He’s in very bad shape right now at Jefferson Hospital,” Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby told the local ABC affiliate. “He’s basically crushed from the waist up.”
Krasner said his office “intends to hold Angela Hall accountable for the severe harm she has caused officer Nieves.”
Protests have taken place in cities across the country following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota police custody on Memorial Day. Most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, but some have spun out into vandalism, looting, and confrontations with police.
Hundreds of police officers have been injured in New York City alone during the two weeks following Floyd’s death.
Injuries to police officers as a result of the protests have also been reported in places such as St. Louis, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles and as far away as London.
