CINCINNATI — A Cincinnati police officer was injured during an early Wednesday morning crash in Evanston, CPD said.
According to a press release, it happened on Dana Avenue right in front of Dana Gardens around 1:30 a.m. Investigators said a CPD officer asked for assistance after a crash involving their cruiser and a white Nissan Altima.
Police said the officer, in a marked patrol car, was traveling west on Dana when the driver of the Nissan failed to yield while turning left into a parking lot. The officer hit the Nissan and the driver of the Nissan left the vehicle and fled from the crash.
The CPD cruiser was found on a tree with an officer trapped inside. The Nissan was in the street with damage to its front end.
The CPD officer was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in serious condition, police said. A press release said the officer sustained a back injury, broken ankle and other minor injuries in the crash. They are still undergoing testing, but officials said they should not remain in the hospital for long.
"The reckless behavior of this driver could have caused much more severe injuries to our officer," said Teresa Theetge, interim CPD police chief, in a press release. "We are grateful they are alive and CPD will be behind our officer as they make their recovery."
Police said excessive speed doesn't appear to have played a part in the crash but impairment hasn't been determined, likely because police said they have not yet arrested the driver of the Nissan.
The driver of the Nissan was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash; the CPD officer was wearing a seatbelt.
Police said any witnesses to the crash are asked to call CPD at 513.352.2514.
A @CincyPD officer was seriously injured & rushed to UCHMC overnight after this crash on Dana Avenue in Evanston. We're live from the scene with the latest on the officer's condition, the crash investigation and the search for 2 people who witnesses say ran from the scene. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/PfvpDs8az3
— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) April 27, 2022
The occupants of the Nissan Maxima fled the scene after the crash and have not been found.
Police have not released the details of the accident. Dana Avenue reopened to traffic around 5:30 a.m.
This is a developing story and WCPO will update once more information is available.
