Tampa Officer Involved in Accident While Responding to ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Incident

TAMPA, FLA — A 16-year-old pedestrian who was “attempting to cross against the traffic signal” was struck by a Tampa police officer on Friday night while the officer was responding to a complaint about an “armed and dangerous” person at a Family Dollar, according to the department.

At Nebraska Avenue, an officer who has ten years of experience with the department was traveling east on Busch Boulevard with a green signal, according to the police. Police were told by a witness that the officer at the time had a green light.

The officer struck the 16-year-old when he attempted to cross the street “against the traffic signal,” according to the police.

According to authorities, the teen had a fractured nose and a damaged knee when the officer pulled over and helped. The teenager should be alright.

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“One of our department’s top priorities is pedestrian safety,” Chief Lee Bercaw stated in a statement. “Ensuring that roadways are used safely by everyone who walks, bikes, or drives on them is one of our goals.”

According to Bercaw, the department will step up its outreach to educate the public about roadway safety as it works to lower the number of traffic incidents in Tampa.