Off-Duty Cop Crashes Car into Pittsburgh Reporter's Vehicle

A Pittsburgh Police Officer is suspended without pay after the department says he crashed his car into a vehicle being driven by WPXI Reporter Amy Hudak, injuring the Reporter.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that off-duty cop allegedly fled the crash scene while under influence and injured a local television news reporter, according to court documents.

Officer Tariq Jamal-Francis, 40, rear-ended a vehicle driven by WPXI reporter Amy Hudak while driving in Plum with his teen son, according to court documents.

In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol, Officer Jamal-Francis was charged last week with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person and traffic violations.

According to a criminal complaint, Hudak on Nov. 12 notified authorities of the crash on New Texas Road, and police arrived at the scene at approximately 2:48 p.m. She told them that Officer Jamal-Francis drove away after hitting her vehicle, adding that he drove up an embankment on the opposing lane’s shoulder before taking off.

A quarter-mile from the scene, Officer Jamal-Francis pulled into a parking lot and was met by two responding officers who observed his 17-year-old son in the car, the complaint says. He told them he was involved in an accident, and said neither he or his son had any injuries.

Hudak suffered a cervical sprain in her neck and a concussion.

She is back at work, but on a restricted schedule.