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CMPD: 3 officers injured in 2 car crashes at same place

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials said three officers were injured in two separate car collisions on two days near the same place this weekend.

Authorities said on Saturday around 2:30 a.m., driver Steven Andrew Morris was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu on East Independence Boulevard near Eastway Driver when he hit the rear of a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department marked patrol vehicle.

A second CMPD vehicle was also hit in the collision and the emergency equipment in both vehicles activated, police said. Two CMPD officers were standing outside the cars were struck, and one of the officers was hit by a CMPD vehicle after Morris hit it, police said.

Both officers were transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Main by MEDIC with serious injuries, non-life-threatening injuries. Morris was also transported with minor injuries.

Morris was charged with two counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, driving while impaired, open container after consuming, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, and failure to properly pass emergency vehicles.

The preliminary investigation revealed alcohol was a contributing factor in the collision, police said. The collision is still under investigation.

On Sunday around 2:07 a.m., a CMPD officer was directing traffic on East Independence Boulevard near Eastway Drive.

Officer Prince Blue was seated inside a marked CMPD patrol vehicle when a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Anthony Pellettieri struck the rear of the marked CMPD patrol vehicle, police said.

A second marked CMPD patrol vehicle occupied by another officer was also hit during the crash. Both CMPD vehicles had emergency equipment activated at the time of the crash.

Blue was transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Main by MEDIC with serious injuries. The second officer was not injured. Pellettieri was also transported to Presbyterian Hospital by MEDIC with minor injuries. Blue was admitted to CMC for observation.

An investigation revealed alcohol contributed to the crash, police said. The crash is still under investigation.

Pellettieri was charged with felony serious injury by vehicle, driving while impaired and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.