BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A 24-year-old man from Roxbury is facing multiple charges, after he allegedly crashed into a police cruiser and a tree, while trapping and dragging a police officer several feet.

According to Boston Police Department, at around 2 a.m. Thursday, officers in Roxbury attempted to stop a vehicle with a broken tail light and an invalid inspection sticker, but the driver did not slow down. Police continued to follow the vehicle until it pulled into a driveway on Regent Street.

"The officers explained to the male the reason why he was being stopped, which was for the broken tail light," BPD said. "The male responded by arguing with the officers, refusing to acknowledge the validity of the stop. At this time, officers ordered the operator out of the vehicle as he was being taken into custody for failing to stop for police."

Police said the man refused to comply, and reached down to attempt to put the car into reverse. He then raised his left arm to deflect the officer at the door, and shifted the vehicle into neutral, revving the engine loudly.

BPD said the officer attempted to reach into the car to put it back into park and arrest the driver, who was using his left arm and body to shield the shifter. But the driver successfully put the vehicle into reverse and immediately accelerated, trapping the officer between the car door and the frame of the car. BPD said the suspect also continued to deflect the officer from stopping the vehicle or escaping to safety.

The driver eventually crashed into the front end of the officers’ cruiser, dragging the officer, who was "stuck within the car door" for several feet, BPD said.

"The operator pinned the officer between his vehicle and the parked police cruiser. The operator continued to operate the vehicle recklessly, crashing into another parked vehicle as he attempted to evade officers," BPD said. "The suspect continued to reverse onto the lawn in an effort to turn back onto Regent Street from the parking lot, but he eventually crashed into a tree."

The driver then reportedly exited the vehicle in an attempt to run, but both the injured officer and his partner gave chase.

Officers caught up to the suspect, and BPD said a "violent struggle ensued" as he actively resisted arrest while continuously reaching toward his waistband.

Additional units responded to the scene and were able to place the suspect into handcuffs. Once he was secured, officers approached the vehicle and, on the ground, next to the open driver’s door, they recovered a firearm loaded with twelve rounds of live ammunition.

Additionally, a pill bottle containing fifty-one white pills believed to be Oxycodone was recovered inside the vehicle.

24-year-old Tarique Hokett Richardson of Roxbury was arrested and is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on more than a dozen charges, including Assault to Murder or Maim, several firearm charges, and possession with intent to distribute Class B drugs.

The officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to BPD.

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