A Metropolitan Police officer is fighting for his life Wednesday after a driver struck the cop on Interstate 695 as the officer was helping a stranded motorist, authorities said.
Police said the officer was standing by his squad car when the speeding driver hit him on the highway near South Capitol Street around 10:10 p.m. Tuesday.
“We can confirm one of our members was critically injured last night when he was struck by a vehicle while assisting a driver whose vehicle had broken down in the eastbound lanes of I-695,” the D.C. Police Union said. “The [First District] officer was transported to the hospital for treatment and remains in serious condition.”
Bystander videos showed several police officers respond to the scene and load the wounded cop into a cruiser.
Police said he was rushed to a hospital.
Authorities said the driver suspected of hitting the officer stayed behind and was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.
Metropolitan Police did not share if any charges were brought against the driver.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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