Metro officer critically injured in chase

Jen Lawson

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

For the second time in less than a week, a Metro Police officer was critically hurt in the line of duty.

A patrol officer is recovering at University Medical Center this morning after crashing his cruiser into a pole while chasing a domestic violence suspect this morning.

About 2 a.m., the officer was called to a 7-Eleven store at Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue to investigate a domestic violence complaint.

The officer arrived and spoke to the woman, who showed signs of injury, said Metro Police Officer Jose Montoya, a department spokesman. As she told the officer what had occurred, she spotted the alleged attacker driving by the store.

The officer jumped into his patrol car and headed north on Eastern Avenue, pursuing the alleged attacker. Two blocks away, in the 700 block of Eastern Avenue, the patrol car slid on the wet pavement and fishtailed. He lost control of his car and crashed into a wooden power pole, with the driver's side taking the brunt of the impact, Montoya said.

Rescuers worked for 50 minutes to free the officer from his crumpled car. He was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where he was listed in stable condition this morning, a hospital spokesman said.

He suffered a concussion and internal bruising, Montoya said, but he is expected to be discharged in a few days.

Montoya said he wasn't certain how fast the officer was driving when the crash occurred.

"He only drove two blocks, so I can't see him going that fast," he said.