(Long Island, NY) A Northport man arrested in September of last year for running down two Suffolk County police officers critically injuring one during an attempted traffic stop in Huntington pleaded guilty to assault, assault on a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident, grand larceny and other charges today during a court conference in Central Islip.
Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Chad Morizsan, 35, waived his right to appeal and will be sentenced to 25 years in state prison on July 23.
Northport man Chad Morizsan, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from his arrest in September of last year after running down two Suffolk County police officers during an attempted traffic stop. Photo Credit: SCPD.
On September 22, 2014, Officer Nicholas Guerrero and his partner, Heriberto Lugo, attempted to stop Morizsan and Nicholas Franzone traveling in a stolen SUV in Huntington on Partridge Lane. Morizsan sped off, striking the two police officers as they approached the vehicle, critically injuring Officer Guerrero.
Morizsan then stole gas, colliding with another vehicle in the gas station parking lot, and fled to Commack where on Dovecote Lane he carjacked a 2005 Toyota Camry from an 87-year-old female.
Police arrested Morizsan and Franzone at a department store in Central Islip a couple of hours later when they attempted to purchase a television with the woman’s stolen credit card.
Franzone, 23, is scheduled to appear in court before State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho on July 14.
Officer Guerrero was hospitalized with a severe head injury at Stony Brook University Hospital for more than three weeks. His partner, Officer Lugo was treated and released.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
