Officer Nearly Struck By Vehicle During Traffic Stop In Carrick

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CARRICK (KDKA) -- A Pittsburgh Police officer was almost hit by a vehicle that took off during a traffic stop in Carrick on Thursday.

Around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Pittsburgh Police say officers pulled a black Lexus over near the intersection of Brownsville Road and Hazeldell Street for suspicious drug activity and minor traffic violations. Inside the vehicle were two male suspects.

One of the suspects, 35-year-old Taquan Gurley, got out of the vehicle and tried to run away. He was restrained with a taser and arrested.

When police searched Gurley, they found $1,500 in cash, a plastic bag containing suspected crack cocaine and a scale with white residue.

The driver -- identified as Celestino Palmer -- was then asked to step out of the vehicle. But Palmer sped off, nearly striking an officer.

Police gave chase, but they say Palmer drove off at a high rate of speed. A neighbor says he saw Palmer abandon the car and run away on foot.

"There was a guy in this black Lexus. He came to a screeching stop, got out of the car, jumped over the fence, ran down between the house and the garage down here," witness Brian Velez said. "There were two city units with their lights and sirens on who went down Overbrook Boulevard. He waited for them to pass, then he casually started walking down Overbrook Boulevard."

Officers ultimately found the vehicle nearby on Valera Avenue, but Palmer was gone.

Police say officers did find a 357 handgun with live ammunition on top of a plastic bag full of leaves.

Gurley is now in Allegheny County Jail. He faces a number of charges, from resisting arrest to drug possession with intent to deliver.

Meanwhile, police have issued an arrest warrant for Celestino Palmer.

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