New London — A car struck a house late Thursday night when the driver of the vehicle attempted to flee from an approaching officer who was investigating drug activity in the area, according to police.

Gentry Abson, 41, of 298 Hamilton Ave., Norwich, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, interfering with police, third-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Officers assigned to the Vice Investigative Service and Narcotics Unit were conducting surveillance of a car parked at a fast-food establishment on Colman Street. At about 10 p.m., the officers spotted the same car parked alongside 27 Adelaide St. Officers continued their surveillance of the car and called for a marked patrol car for assistance.

The uniformed officer approached the car at which time the driver, later identified as Abson, shifted his car in reverse and attempted to flee from the officer.

A female passenger attempted to exit the car while the car was moving and she had to be pulled to safety by the officers.

A police officer then entered the car through the open passenger door and attempted to stop the car that was still moving in reverse. The car traveled down an embankment and came to a rest at the front steps of 27 Adelaide St., causing minor damage to the car and a front stairway support to the house.

The officer sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.

Abson was not injured, but the passenger, Tanesha Wiggins, 41, of 43 Terrace Ave., sustaiedn some minor cuts and scratches. She was treated at the scene. Police charged Wiggins with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and interfering with police.

Police seized 27 packets of crack cocaine and $778.