March 20, 2023 A Jacksonville police officer was able to shoot and wound the driver of a Dodge Charger after the suspect allegedly struck the officer while fleeing a Weaver traffic stop.
By Mark Price Source The Charlotte Observer Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An Alabama police officer and a suspect both ended up hospitalized after an early-morning car chase turned into a demolition derby, according to the Jacksonville Police Department.
The officer was injured when he was struck by the suspect’s Dodge Charger, and the suspect was wounded when the officer shot at him, police said in a news release.
Both survived, officials said.
It happened Saturday, March 18, and began around 2 a.m. when patrol cars with the Weaver Police Department started chasing a 22-year-old driver who fled a traffic stop, officials said.
The chase eventually entered the city of Jacksonville, 6.5 miles north, prompting Jacksonville police to join the pursuit.
“Police caught up to the fleeing vehicle near the 5000 block of Alexandria-Jacksonville Highway. The suspect turned his car around and rammed a Jacksonville squad car head-on, before backing up to try again,” Jacksonville police said.
“The officer exited his vehicle and drew his firearm in an attempt to halt the suspect, who then hit the officer with his car. The suspect pulled back to make another attempt, and the officer fired a single shot.”
The driver was wounded, and the car stopped, officials said.
Both men were taken to a hospital in Anniston, officials said. The officer has been discharged, while the suspect “was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for additional care.” He was listed in stable condition Saturday, officials said.
Identities of the officer and suspect have not been released as of March 20.
Jacksonville is about 75 miles northeast of Birmingham.