An Omaha Police Officer is recovering after his cruiser was struck in a hit-and-run Thursday morning. Police said Officer Jordan Smith fired shots at the hit-and-run driver as the suspect fled.
The incident began after officers saw a white Honda Accord run a red light at 13th and Bob Gibson Boulevard around 2:30 a.m. The officers followed and lost sight of the Honda in the area of 16th and Spring Lake Drive.
Officer Smith was also in the area when he was involved in a near head-on collision with the white Honda Accord. Shortly after the collision, the Honda struck the driver’s side of the cruiser as Officer Smith was getting out.
Officer Smith sustained injuries to both of his lower legs. Police say Smith fired three rounds from his duty weapon and the Honda sped away from the scene. The police cruiser was damaged and disabled as a result of the collision.
Within minutes, the Honda was found abandoned in the round-about at 16th and Spring Lake Drive. Officers conducted a search of the area, but were unable to locate the driver. The Honda had sustained serious damage as a result of the collision and had been struck by three bullets.
Police said there was no evidence any of the bullets entered the passenger area of the Honda. The Honda had been stolen in Carter Lake, IA on Wednesday.
Officer Smith was transported to Bergan Mercy Medical Center, treated for injuries, and released.
The investigation is in the early stages and so far, three civilian witnesses and two Omaha police officers have been interviewed by the Officer Involved Investigation Team.
Video evidence has been collected and investigators are actively trying to identify the driver of the white Honda Accord.
Anyone who has information about the driver or who witnessed this incident is encouraged to call the Omaha Police Department at 402-444-5656.