Police officer hit by stolen car

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield police opened fire on the driver of a stolen car when the driver struck a police cruiser and ran over an officer early Sunday morning.

A Springfield Police officer is in the hospital after being hit by a car early Sunday morning.

Springfield Police Captain Sheryl Clapprood told 22News officers pulled over three young men, one whom was driving a stolen vehicle on Taylor Street at 1:30 Sunday morning. But when Officer Matthew Benoit got out of his cruiser, the driver of the car, 18 year-old Tahiem Goffe allegedly struck the cruiser behind him and then ran over Officer Benoit. Goffe tried to flee but Springfield Police opened fire.

"It's kind of gray area as to whether or not the police were justified in opening fire, three juveniles against three trained police officers. Understandably one of them got hit so they reacted on instinct like they were trained to." said Tony DeChristopher of Springfield.

Some say police have a right to defend themselves. "Police need to take care of themselves also and defend themselves. They are dealing with criminals after all," said Benjamin Rosa.

Officer Benoit sustained injuries to both legs and is in fair condition at an area hospital.

Goffe is in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center and the other two juveniles, whose names are not being released by police, are being held without bail.