Investigations Underway On Tacoma Police Officer Who Hit A Pedestrian With His Patrol Car

A Tacoma Police officer struck a pedestrian with his patrol car on Saturday night while trying to clear a crowded scene at the intersection of South 9th Street and Pacific Avenue.

Investigations are underway as authorities are looking into the incident that occurred around 6pm when police responded to numerous reports about the blocked intersection. Officers responded to the scene and tried to disperse several vehicles and about 100 people who were blocking the road while watching a “street sideshow”, 6ABC News reported.

At least one car was captured on video performing a donut in the middle of the street.

In its press release, the Tacoma Police Department said that as the officers began clearing the intersection, people surrounded a police vehicle and started hitting the car and its windows . Fearing for his safety, the officer driving the vehicle tried to back up but was unable to do so due to the mob who continued to stop the car despite having its lights and sirens activated.

In his effort to extricate himself from what already seemed an unsafe position, the officer drove forward and struck one individual. As soon as he was able to get to a point of safety, the officer called for medical assistance.

Puyallup Police Capt. Dan Pashon, who is part of the team investigating the incident, said that two people were taken to a local hospital for treatment. One was released a short time after while the other remained hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

“I am concerned that our department is experiencing another use of deadly force incident,” Interim Police Chief Mike Ake said in the press release.

“I send my thoughts to anyone who was injured in tonight’s event, and am committed to our Department’s full cooperation in the independent investigation and to assess the actions of the department’s response during the incident.”

The city's police department has turned over investigations to the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, which will conduct an independent review of the incident.

The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. Tacoma Police say he has been with the department for 29 and a half years