Off-duty officer injured in hit and run

SALEM — A Salem police lieutenant was thrown to the side of the road while a pickup truck was fleeing the scene of an accident.

Lt. David Casto was treated for injuries today at Salem Community Hospital.

Police were looking for the driver who left the scene. The owner of the pickup has multiple outstanding arrest warrants, police Sgt. John Less said.

He reported that Casto was off duty when his pickup truck was hit from behind about 4 p.m. while he was stopped at a stop sign on Southeast Boulevard.

Casto reported the crash and then went back to talk to the other driver. After he identified himself as a police officer, the other driver began backing up his truck, Less said.

Casto grabbed onto an open door to avoid from being run over, Less said. Casto was dragged as the truck went backward and then thrown to the ground when the truck changed directions before driving away, Less said.