MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- A Maryland Heights police officer was injured Wednesday afternoon during a traffic stop when he was struck by the car of a fleeing drug suspect.
The officer, a 27-year veteran of the department, suffered leg and pelvis injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, Maryland Heights Capt. Joe Delia said.
The suspect was arrested about a block away by other officers and was taken into custody.
The 57-year-old officer pulled the driver over for a traffic violation about 4:18 p.m. in the 1500 block of Roth Hill Drive. When the officer began questioning the man, the officer suspected there may be drugs in the car, Delia said. The 21-year-old driver then put his car in reverse, knocking the officer to the pavement and slamming into the officer's patrol car.
As the officer was on the ground, he fired one shot at his vehicle, deflating one of the tires and allowing the other officers to catch up with the man, Delia said.
Police recovered a large amount of drugs in the car. Delia declined to say what type of drugs were found. Police are planning to present the case to prosecutors Thursday.
Copyright 2012 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
