Man who struck Connecticut officer with stolen car delays sentencing - claiming he 'misunderstood' plea deal

FARMINGTON, CT - On September 20, 2021, Farmington Police Officer James O’Donnell sustained severe injuries when he was struck by a stolen car, pinning him against his patrol car during a pursuit. 

On Tuesday, the man driving the car that struck O’Donnell, Pedro Acevedo, 32, was to be sentenced in the case; however, in a last-minute maneuver, he managed to get sentencing delayed, WTNH in New Haven reported. 

Appearing in Hartford Superior Court, Acevedo, who had agreed to plead guilty in June, claimed the thought he agreed to a charge of second-degree assault rather than first-degree assault, along with a 10-year maximum sentence. He also claimed there is a police body camera missing. 

Acevedo, who lived in New Britain, CT at the time of his arrest, was arrested a couple of weeks later and charged with first-degree assault, a felony, the Farmington Patch reported at the time. 

O’Donnell required numerous surgeries and a lengthy recovery period, which Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson described as “devastating pelvic injuries.” Chief Melanson said Acevedo showed “no remorse” when arrested and arraigned, calling the incident “an assault on the fabric of civilized society.” 

Lt. Timothy McKenzie of the Farmington PD said O’Donnell was “lucky” despite his significant injuries. 

"The officer was crushed up against the vehicle, the suspect vehicle,” he told WTNH. “It’s a miracle he didn’t suffer anything more serious than he has."

The incident began when Farmington police were dispatched to a report of an active theft involving a vehicle on Talcott Notch Road in the suburban Hartford community. When Acevedo attempted to flee, he struck O’Donnell, who had just exited his patrol vehicle and continued. This led to a high-speed pursuit, with Farmington officers chasing Acevedo, who eventually crashed in a wooded area and then fled on foot. 

Despite police K9 officers searching the area, Acevedo evaded capture. Less than a week later, he was picked up by nearby Plainville police in a stolen car and was subsequently identified as the person who struck O’Donnell. 

Acevedo’s sudden about-face contrasts with the three charges he entered a plea to regarding the vehicular assault on O’Donnell. The trial judge will review court transcripts and has rescheduled sentencing to Oct. 31. 

WTNH reported that Officer O’Donnell has returned to work but now works for the Rocky Hill Police Department, located just southeast of Hartford.