A Newport News police car responding to a report of an accidental shooting was struck by another vehicle Thursday night, an official said.
The wreck happened about 9:20 p.m. when the police car, with emergency equipment on, was traveling southbound on Jefferson Avenue, according to police spokesman Lou Thurston.
The officer believed the intersection at J. Clyde Morris Boulevard was clear for him to cross, and he proceeded through, Thurston said.
When he was nearly clear of the intersection, the car was struck in the right rear by a 2008 Ford Escape, causing the car to spin, Thurston said.
The officer was taken to a local hospital and found not to be injured, while the driver of the Escape, a 52-year-old Newport News woman, did not report any injuries.
Thurston said it’s currently unknown whether the police car made a full stop before proceeding through the intersection.
No one has been charged at this time and the investigation remains ongoing by the Crash Reconstruction Team.
In the incident the officer was responding to, a man had been cleaning his gun when it accidentally discharged, striking a woman in the home in the leg. Her injuries were not life threatening. He was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, Thurston said.
Previous story, 1:15 a.m. Nov. 6:
A Newport News police car responding to an emergency crashed with another vehicle Thursday night, officials said.
The crash is in the area of J. Clyde Morris Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, the police department shared on social media.
The car was responding to a call with emergency equipment activated, the post states.
No injuries were reported.
