NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A suspected hit-and-run driver ran over a police officer who was attempting to stop her from fleeing, according to North Miami Beach Police’s chief, causing at least one officer to fire their weapon at the driver.
It happened near Northeast 172nd Street and Biscayne Boulevard, at around 1 p.m., Thursday.
According to North Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Rand, a hit-and-run involving a red car and a white car happened north of the area where the shooting occurred, and it ended at The Reserve at Marina Palms condominium complex.
“The officers that were [at the complex] were flagged down in reference to a hit-and-run that had just occurred,” Rand said. “Somehow, the two vehicles ended up here in this parking lot. An officer was sitting in the parking lot conducting another investigation. He was notified that, ‘Hey, these two cars were just involved in a hit-and-run accident.’ The officer exited his vehicle and tried to make contact with the two parties in these vehicles.”
Rand went on to say, “The female that was driving the red vehicle attempted to flee again and actually struck the officer, causing him to hit the ground, continued to try to flee. The officer was in front of the vehicle, at which point shots were fired, and K-9 was deployed to stop the threat.”
While trying to escape, the woman also hit a black car.
Police have not confirmed whether or not the police officer who was run over was the same officer who fired at the woman. Police have confirmed the officer in the hospital works for North Miami Beach Police.
The chief said it is not clear if the woman was hit by a bullet.
The officer suffered injuries to the mid-section and the lower body and was transported to Aventura Hospital in serious condition. The driver was also taken to a local hospital in stable condition, but the extent of her injuries are not yet known.
“They were chasing her,” resident Stuart Weiser said. “She pulled into this residence, couldn’t get through the gate, so she tried to back out. The police tried to open her door. She ran over the policeman, and the other policeman shot her.”
An aerial view of the scene shows a red vehicle blocked off by police tape. The back window of the red vehicle appears to have been shot out, and what appears to be blood could be seen on the ground.
“I’m home working, and I hear over the intercom, they basically made an announcement that there’s an emergency, and nobody can leave the building,” The Reserve at Marina Palms resident Roberto Yulee said.
Aventura Police and North Miami Beach Police units both responded to the scene. Biscayne Boulevard near 172nd Street has been closed while police work the scene, but the southbound lanes have been reopened.
The red car has been towed away from the scene.
Motorists are asked to seek an alternate route around the area.
Rand said the driver of the red car could face several charges depending on the officer’s condition, including aggravated battery with a motor vehicle on a police officer.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement members are helping officers with their investigation into the incident.
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