By Steve Lyttle
The Charlotte Observer
CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was injured in a two-car wreck late Monday night that resulted in another driver being arrested.
Police say Officer Gary Brown was injured when his cruiser, a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, collided with a 1997 Mercury Villager van. It happened about 10:45 p.m. in the 4900 block of Central Avenue.
The driver of the van, Jose Gabriel Aguirre, 37, was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run.
Several media reports indicate the police officer suffered broken bones in both legs.
According to police, Brown was responding to a police call and was driving eastbound on Central Avenue. Police say Aguirre was turning from westbound Central Avenue into the Taqueria Linares restaurant and turned into the path of Brown’s cruiser.
Police say Brown hit the right-front side of Aguirre’s van, then crashed into a metal sign in front of the building. Police say Aguirre fled on foot after the collision but was captured a short time later.
Copyright 2008 The Charlotte Observer