MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – On Monday, Maryland Heights police released new details about a chase that ended with an officer hit by a car and a teenage driver shot. An eyewitness’ cell phone video showed detectives walking around two stolen cars used in a weekend crime spree.
“They did not come to work that night expecting to be involved in a shooting and one officer in particular did not expect to be assaulted and hit by the driver of a stolen vehicle,” Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson said.
It all started when Maryland Heights officers tried to track down three different stolen cars that had reportedly been used in other crimes. Chief Carson said the cars, a gold Hyundai Sonata and two Kias, were recently stolen.
“A Maryland Heights police officer spotted both Kias exiting 270 onto Dorsett Road. The officer got behind the vehicles, turned on his lights and sirens, and attempted to stop them,” he said.
The chief said two of the cars turned onto Jonesdale Court, where one of the Kias ended up in a front yard and the driver took off running.
“It should be noted that the drivers of both vehicles were wearing ski masks,” Carson said.
The other stolen Kia then swerved toward the officer, the chief said.
“That officer fired his weapon just before being hit by the car. Two other officers at that point also fired their weapons,” he said. “The officer that was hit by the car was thrown into the air, slammed into a parked car, and fell to the pavement.”
Other officers gave the teen driver first aid while waiting for an ambulance.
“Anytime a 16-year-old is shot, it is sad and tragic,” Carson said.
Police arrested the other driver, who is only 15 years old. The officer that was hit wasn’t seriously injured. Police are still searching for the gold Sonata.