Jacksonville officer recovering after being hit by police cruiser during foot pursuit of suspect

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff's officer is recovering after another officer crashed into him.

Police said they were chasing an armed carjacking suspect who was also hit by the cruiser Thursday night.

JSO said an officer spotted a car he believed to be stolen near North Davis and 13th streets in Hogans Creek.

Police said that officer stopped the car, and when a man darted out of it, he chased after him.

As that was happening, other units were responding, and then, came the collision.

“What did it sound like when that impact happened?” Action News Jax reporter Russell Colburn asked a witness.

“Boom! That’s it,” replied the witness, Joseph Glenn.

Glenn said he saw the whole thing.

Police said a man and woman were involved, but they haven't identified them, or given any charges.

“She was driving, she crashed, dude hops out. When he hops out, they’re running after him and the other police officer chasing after him hit his own officer, and that's how the officer ended up getting injured,” Glenn said.

Police identified the injured officer as Eric Melega, a two-year veteran of the force.

“How fast was the officer going when he hit the other officer?” Colburn asked Glenn.

“From my estimate, the way the officer went back, he had to at least be going from here to here, at least 35 [mph],” Glenn replied.

Police said that officer did hit his brakes. They believe the dark, rainy conditions played a role.

Cox Media Group