4 officers injured in Albany PD crash on Madison Avenue

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Four Albany police officers were injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon. The crash took place around 3:40 p.m. near Madison Avenue and Quail Street and involved two Albany police vehicles.

Police were responding to a domestic call at a residence on Slingerland Street near Second Avenue when the officers requested more units to respond. While attempting to take the domestic-related suspect into custody, the two officers were exposed to powder cocaine that the suspect had in his possession, according to police.

“Officers that were on that call requested more units to respond. Apparently, there was a resistive suspect that those officers were dealing with and other officers who were in another part of town responded,” said Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins. 

Two separate police units were responding to the call for assistance when they crashed into each other at Madison Avenue and Quail Street. Danika Quinn was doing what she does every day when that collision happened right in front of her. 

“I was standing on the corner over there where the cop car is, and I was walking over to go get my sister off the bus, and I just seen them collide,” said Quinn.

She said she had to jump back to avoid getting hit with shards of glass. 

“The one that is on the pole right now hit his brakes but didn’t have time to hit his breaks, so they hit each other. The gray car spun, and then the black and white one hit the pole and caught fire,” said Quinn, who was shaken up.  “I was thinking about my family and my little sister. I wanted to know if she was ok.”

The four officers involved in the crash sustained head injuries, two of which are considered severe. One officer also has a severe leg injury.

All four are being treated at Albany Medical Center. They are listed in stable condition. The two officers exposed to cocaine were treated at Albany Memorial Hospital.

"We have been able to speak with all four of the officers who were injured, so they are able to communicate, and again, while their injuries are going to require some significant recovery, they are not life-threatening. The family members are here. We are making sure they have what they need to feel supported,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

NEWS10 asked if high speeds were a factor in the crash.

“We don’t know, we don’t know at this point. Again, all of that stuff will be something that we look into moving forward and will have more information at a later time,” said Hawkins.

“I’m glad that I made it out ok, and I hope the police officers are fine,” said Quinn.

The subject from the domestic incident was identified as 38-year-old Rahmel Carter, of Albany. He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawfully possessing or selling noxious material, one count of obstructing governmental administration, one count of tampering with physical evidence, one count of criminal contempt, one count of harassment, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning.