Phoenix officer saves bystander as car barreled toward them

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona police officer is being called a hero for pushing a tow truck driver out of the way as a car barreled toward them.

Phoenix police said the officer was standing near a tow truck Saturday night as it was loading a vehicle when a car apparently lost control, jumped past a raised median and went over the lanes into oncoming traffic.

The officer pushed the tow truck driver out of the way and then dived away himself.

The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries but was not hit by the car.

Authorities aren’t sure what caused the car to lose control but the driver has been hospitalized in extremely critical condition.

Police said the officer has been on the force nine years and is in training to become a sergeant.