MINEOLA — Officials said charges were upgraded against Louie Blanton, a man who authorities said caused a November 2011 car crash that left an officer severely injured after a police chase on the Southern State Parkway. According to Nassau D.A. Kathleen Rice, Blanton drove into incoming traffic in an attempt to evade the officer who had tried to apprehend him earlier. Near Exit 32 in Farmingdale, Rice said Blanton slammed on the breaks, which caused the officer to swerve her patrol onto the guardrail and into traffic where another vehicle struck her.

Blanton, who police said was arrested in February 2012, pled not guilty to charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, and first-degree assault.