WHITPAIN TWP., Pa. - January 3, 2012
The accident happened around 3:15 a.m. on Morris Road, east of Route 202, in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County.
36-year-old Whitpain Township police officer Steve Nickel, an 11-year veteran of the force, was injured in the crash. Police say Officer Nickel was responding to the report of a home invasion in the 800 block of North Wales Road when he lost control of his cruiser and slammed into a pole.
The officer suffered head and facial injuries and was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was treated and released and is said to be in good spirits.
There is no word on what may have caused the officer to lose control of the police cruiser. Police speculate that Officer Nickel may have swerved to miss an animal.
As for the home invasion, the homeowner at the residence told investigators he encountered a male in his bedroom standing over him with a golf club. The 15-year-old suspect then fled and was apprehended by responding police officers.
The teen is charged with burglary, theft and related charges.
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