MANCHESTER, NH – Two people were arrested Sunday following an incident in which a Manchester Police officer sustained an injury to his hand when he was allegedly hit by an oncoming car.
Officers Robert Bifsha and Konrad Jaworowski responded to 297 Concord St. on Feb. 12, 2017 at approximately 2:10 a.m. for a call for an “unwanted party.” They spoke with the homeowner about the unrelated matter when their attention was drawn to a black BMW operating east on Concord Street near their location. The operator, later identified as Christian Nazario-Cheverez, was revving the engine and spinning his tires, so Officer Jaworowski attempted to stop him by yelling verbal commands.
Nazario-Cheverez refused and continued driving toward the officer who was now standing on the road. Officer Jaworowski jumped out of the way to avoid being hit by the car. He was unable to avoid being hit as the driver’s side mirror stuck his right hand.
Both officers caught up to the vehicle at Concord and Dutton streets as the operator came to an abrupt halt. They attempted to remove the operator, identified as Christian Nazario-Cheverez, 27, of Manchester, but he refused. The passenger was not charged during the incident and was released from the scene.
Nazario-Cheverez continued fighting with the officers once he was physically removed from the vehicle. He failed to comply with the arresting process and was transitioned to the ground. He was eventually secured in handcuffs and transported to police headquarters.
A separate vehicle had stopped on Concord Street during the incident. A female passenger exited the car and began yelling at the officers as they were struggling with Nazario-Cheverez. The woman, Beverly Gonzalez, 20, of Manchester, was standing in the road while yelling at the officers. Once they secured him, they asked the female to step off of the road and vacate the area. She refused to get off of the street so she was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Gonzalez was charged with disorderly conduct and released on $500 personal recognizance. She is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on March 21, 2017.
Nazario-Cheverez was charged with reckless conduct, conduct after an accident, operating under the influence of alcohol/drugs, resisting arrest and simple assault. He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on March 21, 2017.
The officer returned to work shortly after being medically cleared to do so.
Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard commented on the incident via his Twitter account, saying, “The dangers to officers is very real, but so, too, is the wanton disrespect from some – the passerby yelling at the officers, in this situation.”
