Quick thinking by a Concord, California police officer Saturday morning may have saved the life of his K-9 partner.
Officer Anthony Coniglio was on the scene of a crash involving a DUI driver around 2 a.m. on Meadow Lane and was standing near the front of his patrol vehicle with emergency lights activated and flare lit when he heard a GMC truck accelerating in his direction, according to a department news release.
Coniglio realized that the truck was not going to stop and was concerned that K-9 Hancock, who was inside his vehicle, was in harms way. The officer jumped in his cruiser and was able to move it approximately two feet before the truck slammed into the driver-side of the patrol vehicle.
Coniglio and Hancock were both transported to local hospitals and were treated for moderate injuries and released.
"It's with certainty that we know if Officer Coniglio was not able to move his patrol vehicle, he and K-9 Hancock would have sustained serious injury or death," police said in a statement. "K-9 Officer Coniglio and Hancock are both resting at home and doing well. Thank you to all the concerned citizens who called and sent cards this morning. We have a wonderful community!"
The suspect was arrested for suspicion of DUI and was treated for injuries before being booked into Martinez Detention Facility.