Police protocols in question after motorist injured in chase

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - As an innocent driver fights to recover from serious injuries, we continue to follow a developing story. Western Mass News obtained new video taken by a bystander at Wednesday’s multi-vehicle crash on Riverdale Street in West Springfield.
Authorities say the crash started with a police pursuit out of Holyoke and sent multiple people, including police officers, to the hospital. The video is a very new perspective from what we’ve seen so far.
You can see what appears to be police officers running over to the blue SUV that was hit by the suspect during the police pursuit Wednesday. The blue SUV is clearly not upright until what appears to be those same officers running back to flip it over.
We followed up with the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office on Friday, who told us the victim of Wednesday’s wrong way crash remains in critical but stable condition. A GoFundMe page describes her as “a loving mother, daughter, and friend, whose life changed in an instant.” We’re not releasing her name since authorities haven’t identified her publicly.
Police said 37-year-old Carlos Maldonado of Springfield had two outstanding warrants and a stolen gun when officers spotted his Jeep on Route 5 Wednesday morning.
Here in this video also obtained by Western Mass News, you can see what appears to be the suspect being pulled out of the car. He’s seen sitting in the middle of the road before being escorted away by what appears to be police.
When police tried to pull him over, they say Maldonado hit a police cruiser and fled. He drove the wrong way before crashing head-on into a blue Nissan near a car dealership. Maldonado ran but was quickly caught. Police found the stolen gun in his vehicle.
Three officers were hurt and taken to the hospital. Maldonado was also hospitalized. Maldonado has a criminal record that dates back to 2007.
We were curious about public safety guidelines when it comes to police pursuits, Western Mass News reached out to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST. They told us since the POST Commission is so new they do not currently have policies on police pursuits. Adding to that, it is up to each department to have their own set protocols.
However, POST admits one industry standard that needs to be developed is officer response protocols. They are currently working on policies for things like police pursuits. Unfortunately, Holyoke Police have not been available for the last 2 days to discuss those pursuit protocols within their department.
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