Broken Arrow Police officer injured after being struck by a car

A suspected drunk driver hits a Broken Arrow police officer Wednesday morning. The officer wasn't seriously hurt, but the police had to chase down the driver. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan

Wednesday, December 21st 2005, 10:43 am

By: News On 6

A suspected drunk driver hits a Broken Arrow police officer Wednesday morning. The officer wasn't seriously hurt, but the police had to chase down the driver.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says for Officer John Turner, it was a very close call. He had just made a traffic stop - when he was clipped by the mirror of a car.

Dozens of Broken Arrow police officers responded to a call for help from Officer John Turner. He was driving an unmarked police car and had stopped an SUV for speeding on Highway 51.

Eyewitness Faviola Meja: "the cop just grabbed to my car with lots of pain, and then I realized when he went back there he was in lots of pain."

A weaving car had hit Officer Turner. The cars passenger side mirror broke off when it hit him in the back at highway speed. The impact didn't knock the officer off his feet, but it did knock the mirror off the car. That's evidence now for the police.

Broken Arrow Police Captain Cary Aud: "the driver continued on west bound." But an alert citizen had noticed the weaving car and helped describe it to police. A short pursuit ended 6 miles from the scene with Broken Arrow Police and Tulsa Police officers blocking off a highway exit. The suspect's car rolled into a patrol car as they pulled the suspect from behind the wheel.

Broken Arrow Police arrested the driver - 34 year old Emily Bittick - and say she was under the influence. She was driving a car purchased last Saturday, and had a toddler in the back seat. Neither her or her child were hurt, but she's now in the Wagoner County jail for driving under the Influence, leaving the scene, eluding officers and child endangerment.

At the crash scene, investigators took pictures and marked evidence. Officer Turner was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released. His fellow officers thought he was remarkably fortunate. Captain Cary Aud: "You always pray that will never happen, and luckily it didn't happen any worse than this today."

The little boy in the car was turned over to his father. The suspected driver will be charged in Wagoner County.

And the driver that Officer Turner stopped - did not end up with a speeding ticket.