Around 6:05 p.m. Springfield Police Officers observed a stolen Hyundai driving on Maple Street. The car had been reported stolen earlier that day. A short time later Officers conducted a traffic stop on Broad Street. The driver, later identified as Walker, drove in reverse striking a cruiser with two officers inside. Walker then accelerated forward driving over an officer’s foot.
Assisting officers arrived as Walker continued to drive recklessly barely missing numerous pedestrians, bicyclists, children and other vehicles. As Walker continued to accelerate and drive right through a stop sign he crashed into a police cruiser at the intersection of Morris Street and Central Street, totaling the cruiser and injuring both officers.
Walker immediately jumped out of the car and attempted to run away. Officers were able to take Walker into custody in the area of Dale Street. Officers also arrested a 14-year-old male on Central Street who attempted to flee. A 14-year-old female passenger was inside the stolen car when it caught fire.
The two Officers who were in the cruiser when it was t-boned rescued the girl from the burning car then provided first aid. She was later placed under arrest. Officers also located tools use to steal cars, specifically Hyundai’s and Kia’s inside the vehicle.
Three injured officers were transported to Baystate and released later that evening. The three suspects were transported to Baystate as well and then released.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood stated, “I am incredibly thankful that none of our officers got seriously injured and that this suspect did not kill or serious injure any of our citizens Tuesday night. This incident is eerily reminiscent to the tragedy that just occurred in Hartford that took the life of Detective Garten and to what happened to a State Trooper on I-91 last week. These actions showed a blatant disregard for the lives of our officers and residents and it is completely unacceptable. On top of that, this suspect should not even be out on our streets to wreak this havoc. Since being arrested with an illegal firearm he has been arrested for another incident involving a stolen Hyundai, a hit and run crash, yet his bail wasn’t revoked. This individual is inherently dangerous to our residents and deserves to be held or the next time he could take an innocent person’s life.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “First of all, I am relieved that our brave and dedicated officers were not seriously injured. I did speak with them last evening to wish them good health and a speedy recovery. I am also thankful that no innocent bystanders were hurt during this reckless and irresponsible act of mayhem this suspect put our City through – where are the parents in this equation. Police and Government officials cannot do it all, we need family members to step up to instill respect and responsibility. This is not the movies, TV show or a video game, where you come back in a reoccurring role. People get hurt or worse, this is real life.
Here we go again! This individual had no regard for anyone’s safety and could have easily killed one of our officers or an innocent citizen, and once again, another repeat violent offender out on bail for firearms and a variety of other charges. If the courts do not keep this individual locked up now, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed. The suspect has little to no regard for anyone’s safety, including the safety of his juvenile passengers. Between what happened in Hartford with the senseless death of Detective Garten and the incident with the State Trooper last week, it is clear that these repeat violent criminal offenders are showing a blatant disregard to everyone’s safety and putting everyone’s lives in danger. There must now be a certainty of consequences delivered by our courts and some of our judges. Now, dealing with the aftermath, our residents and taxpayers have to foot the bill to repair and/or replace the two police cruisers that were damaged. This is now two police cars that have been taken off our streets to keep our community safe, all thanks to this reckless individual.”
Prior to this incident, Walker had three open criminal cases. Springfield Police arrested Walker with a firearm in August 2022; that case remains open. Springfield Police Officers also arrested Walker in June 2023 in connection with a stolen Hyundai and he has open charges from a hit and run in May 2023.
19-year-old Daniel Walker of Springfield is charged with:
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Three Counts)
- Failure to Stop for Police
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
- Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (Two Counts)
- Possession of Burglarious Tools
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury (Three Counts)
- Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
The juvenile’s names and specific charges cannot be released due to their ages.
***The Springfield Police continue to urge anyone with a Hyundai or Kia to purchase a highly visible steering wheel locking device.
