Prosecutor: 4 officers injured during pursuit of man on ATV

Four Belleville police officers were hurt Thursday while chasing a man riding on an ATV, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials say that a Belleville officer attempted to pull over 21-year-old Wilfredo Soto just before 10 p.m. Thursday. Police say that Soto was riding the all-terrain vehicle on Washington Avenue and refused to stop.
The officer chasing Soto called for backup, according to police. Two responding police units collided with one another during the pursuit. The four officers inside the two cars were taken to University Hospital to be treated for injuries.
Officials say that a civilian driver was also hurt when that person’s car collided with Soto on the ATV. The driver was also taken to the hospital.
The officers and the civilian driver were all treated for injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening. They have all since been released.
Soto was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, second-degree eluding, contempt and various motor vehicle offenses.