The Vancouver Police Department is blaming the actions of a “group of joy-riding teens” for serious injuries sustained by an officer early this morning.
According to the VPD, the officer and his partner were responding to an unrelated 911 call when their unmarked police cruiser was struck by another car, which then caught fire.
#VPDNews A Vancouver Police constable has been hospitalized with serious injuries after his patrol car was struck by a group of joy-riding teens early this morning.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) March 20, 2023
Media Release: https://t.co/WGApaXuwH0 pic.twitter.com/Yjx9yklNFT
“Investigators believe the 16-year-old driver had been doing donuts – a reckless manoeuvre that involves turning a car’s wheels while accelerating in order to create a circular skid pattern – before colliding with the officers’ unmarked police car,” a VPD release explained.
The VPD says the hospitalized officer could miss months of work while he recovers after the crash. The second officer suffered less-serious injuries and is recovering at home.
Meanwhile, the driver and his two teenage passengers were uninjured. The driver was arrested at the scene and is facing a number of charges, including driving without a licence and dangerous driving.
The accident closed the area of Kingsway and Tyne for several hours this morning and the VPD is urging any witnesses who have yet to speak with police to come forward.
