HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (CBS12) — A man accused of crashing into a Hollywood police officer's patrol car at high speed was arrested in Chicago on June 10.
The incident occurred just after midnight on May 20 near Hollywood Boulevard and North Ocean Drive. Authorities reported that the officer was traveling north when a BMW, allegedly exceeding 100 miles per hour, crossed the median and collided with the patrol vehicle.
The officer sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is currently recovering in the hospital. Following the crash, the driver fled on foot, abandoning the vehicle.
Detectives identified the suspect as 22-year-old Artiom Echiusciu. According to police, he took a Lyft to evade capture and eventually fled to Chicago. On June 10, nearly three weeks after the incident, U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Echiusciu.
Authorities confirmed that Echiusciu is in the United States illegally from Russia. He now faces multiple charges, including:
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury
- Reckless driving causing serious bodily injury
- Reckless driving causing property damage
- Driving with a suspended license
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage
- Failure to register a motor vehicle
Hollywood police are working on extraditing him to Broward County, where he will face these charges. Officials expressed gratitude to the Broward State Attorney's Office and federal partners for their assistance in apprehending the suspect. The injured officer continues to receive community support during recovery.