ORANGE — A Worcester man who struck Warwick’s police chief with a vehicle while fleeing a traffic stop last year will spend the next 2½ years in jail for charges related to the crime.

Christopher Martelle, 43, pleaded guilty in Orange District Court on Monday to single counts of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges that included operating a motor vehicle without a license and failure to stop for police.

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Martelle will serve two years in the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction on the first three charges and an additional six months after that term for the charge of leaving the scene of personal injury.

Martelle took off after being stopped for a traffic violation on May 21, 2024, striking Warwick Police Chief David Shoemaker as he did so. An arrest warrant was issued, and Martelle was detained that August after being arrested on a shoplifting charge in Worcester, according to the DA’s office. Shoemaker was assisting Sgt. John Stewart at the traffic stop when the driver struck Shoemaker and fled.

“Tips from the public actually helped identify the defendant in this case, so we are thankful people stepped forward,” Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Alex Keir said in a statement.

“I just think it was a good job by the entire prosecution team,” Shoemaker said in a phone interview Wednesday.

He said the incident left a scar on his lower right leg.

“It reminds me to not take anything for granted,” the chief noted.

Martelle was represented by defense attorney Michael Sheridan, who asked Judge Laurie MacLeod to sentence his client to probation.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.