UPDATE: Injured Officer Home, Wayne Driver Charged

A Tredyffrin Police officer is home recovering after being struck by a speeding Porsche on Old Eagle School Road between Lancaster Ave and the Strafford Train Station.

Tredyffrin Police say Officer Lawrence Meoli was airlifted to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Phiadelphia where he was treated and released for injuries to his head, arm and chest.

The accident happened just before 8 p.m. Friday.

Tredyffrin police say Officer Meoli was completing an investigation on Old Eagle School Road when a Porsche, being driven by Bennett Colesbury III of Wayne, "was heard accelerating north on Old Eagle School Road in the area of Meadowbrook Lane.

The officer gestured for the driver of the Porsche to slow down." A Tredyffrin Police press release says "Colesberry moved into the opposite lane and struck Tredyffrin Officer Lawrence Meoli."

According to multiple local TV News reports from the scene Friday night, officer Meoli was thrown up against the windshield of the Porsche.

Colesberry was arrested and is facing criminal charges for recklessly endangering another person , drug Possession, and related charges including traffic offenses.

This is the full press release issued by Tredyffrin Police early Saturday morning:

At 1953 hrs., on Friday, May 18th, 2012, Tredyffrin Twp. Police officers responded to a burglar alarm in the unit block of Old Eagle School Rd., in the Wayne section of the Township.  While completing the investigating and while officers were departing the scene, a motorist, later identified as one-Mr. BENNETT COLESBERRY III of the 600 block of Knox Rd., Wayne, PA was operating a Porsche automobile. Officers heard the accelerating vehicle which was northbound on Old Eagle School Rd. in the area of Meadowbrook Lane. The officer gestured for the driver of the Porsche to slow down. Colesberry moved into the opposite lane and struck Tredyffrin Officer Lawrence Meoli.

Officer Meoli, a twenty-six year veteran of the Tredyffrin Twp. Police Department was transported via helicopter to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for injuries to his head, arm and chest. Officer Meoli was subsequently released to his family.

Tredyffrin Township Police officers were immediately assisted by the Chester County Detectives, the Pennsylvania State Police , Upper Uwchlan Twp. Police Department, West Chester Police Department, Radnor Twp. Police Department, Easttown Twp.  Department, Upper Merion Twp. Police Department and the fire departments of Radnor, Paoli and Berwyn.

Colesberry III  has been arrested and is facing criminal charges for Recklessly Endangering Another Person , Drug Possession and related charges including traffic offenses.

Tredyffrin Twp. Police Superintendent Anthony Giaimo, just sworn in this week, stated,” The Police Department deeply appreciates the response and cooperation from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Chester County Detectives, responding law enforcement agencies and fire companies. We are pleased and thankful that our officer will recover from his injuries.”

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said, “It is a miracle that Officer Meoli was not killed. Any injury to a Chester County law enforcement officer is a serious matter. All of Chester County law enforcement will continue to investigate this matter. Our prayers are with Officer Meoli and his family.