The vehicles collided in the southbound lanes on the Major Deegan Expressway near West 179th Street in the University Heights section just after 7 a.m.
Citizen App video captured the scene.
Police said the driver of a Mercedes-Benz was driving recklessly and speeding when they rear-ended the officer's department-issued vehicle as he slowed for traffic.
The cars then collided with two other vehicles, sparking one of the four to burst into flames.
The officer, who was on duty at the time of the crash, was not seriously injured.
Neither were the drivers of the other vehicles.
The crash is under investigation.
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