AUBURN, Mass. — The man accused of running over an Auburn Police officer over the weekend appeared in court Monday on charges including assault to murder.
Officer Luis Santos was responding to a call for a burglary suspect on Millbury Street when he encountered Matthew Ostrander.
According to court documents, Ostrander shouted "shoot me" and taunted Officer Santos while gesturing as if he was trying to reach into has jacket pocket for a weapon.
That’s when Ostrander allegedly took off, aiming for Santos with his vehicle and "Knocking him through the air and onto the side of the road."
After two days in the hospital, Santos is on the road to recovery but still faces many challenges.
"We're so relieved to hear that although he has a long road of recovery ahead of him that he'll be ok,” Auburn Selectman Doreen Goodrich said.
The father of four, husband and community leader could be out of the hospital by the end of the week.
"He is a true community person as well. He does a lot to give back to the people of Auburn,” Town Manager Julie Jacobson said.
Fellow officers appeared at Ostrander’s court hearing Monday as a show of support less than one year after another officer was killed.
In May, Officer Ron Tarentino was shot and killed during a traffic stop.
"Unfortunately an incident like this happens and it brings back those memories so yes there is that sense of relief that he is OK, and we are happy that he survived this. But he has a long road ahead of him,” Jacobson said.
There is a fundraiser for Officer Santos and his family to help during the recovery.
Donations can be made to the Officer Santos and Family Assistance Fund, c/o Savers Bank, 38 Auburn St.
Auburn, MA 01501.
Ostrander faces nearly two-dozen charges and is set to appear in court again Thursday for a dangerousness hearing.