A drunk driver struck an Allied Barton patrol officer on the southwest corner of 38th and Walnut streets last Friday, April 15, at about 1:30 a.m.
The officer was standing next to his bike, filling out his patrol log, when he noticed a vehicle coming toward him on the sidewalk, according to Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush.
“He remembers either pushing or yelling at two females to get out of the way,” said Rush, before he was struck. “He landed on the top of the windshield.”
Luckily, she added, he had his helmet on.
The officer was immediately rushed to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in “pretty bad shape,” Rush said.
Meanwhile, the vehicle’s driver jumped from the car, attempting to flee the scene. With a combined effort from PennComm personnel and the Penn Police, however, he was quickly apprehended, Rush added.
He has been charged with driving under the influence — confirmed by a breathalyzer test — as well as fleeing the scene.
The patrol officer’s condition has since stabilized, and he was scheduled to be released from HUP last night.
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