Officer injured in Hempstead court escape attempt

A Brooklyn man injured a police officer Monday in an escape attempt at his arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead, Nassau County police said.

Kenneth D. Edward, 20, of 2212 Sutter Ave. was about to be arraigned on charges of leaving the scene of an accident and other traffic violations when he tried to escape at about 3:15 p.m., heading out the main courtroom doors, according to a report.

Edward tried pushing past one officer who blocked the escape route, hitting the officer in the face and driving him into a wall, police said.

Edward was restrained by several officers, the report said, and the injured officer was taken to Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, where he was treated for back pain.

Edward faces additional charges of second-degree assault, resisting arrest and third-degree escape and is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday.