By Police1 Staff
KENT, Wash. — A Washington police officer was killed Sunday after being struck by a patrol vehicle during a pursuit, police said.
Police said the Kent officer was deploying spike strips to stop a suspect’s truck during the pursuit when he was fatally struck by a Kent Police patrol vehicle, Fox News reported. The officer driving the patrol vehicle was also injured and was taken to a hospital, where he’s listed in critical but stable condition.
“Make no question about this, were it not for the actions of this suspect or suspects, this officer would be alive today. It’s directly because of the suspect or suspect’s actions that led to the officer’s death,” Washington State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead said.
Officials said the pursuit started after police received calls about a shooting before 2 a.m. Sunday. Officers in the area heard gunshots and saw a red truck fleeing the scene. Witnesses told police the truck may have been involved in the shooting.
During the ensuing pursuit, an officer pursuing the red truck struck the LEO deploying the spike strips. Mead said the patrol vehicle then crashed into three other cars.
Police said the red truck hit one of the spike strips and crash. One person was arrested.
The fallen officer was an eight-year veteran of the department.
Mead said officials are continuing to investigate the incident and didn’t comment on whether police are searching for more suspects.
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