DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines police officer is in the hospital Tuesday morning after his patrol car was struck by another vehicle, the Des Moines Police Department said in a press release.
The 49-year-old K-9 Unit officer notified the department's communications center via radio that he had been involved in a crash on SE 6th Street in the East Village at around 7:10 a.m. Tuesday.
Both the officer and a K-9 were injured in the crash. Des Moines firefighters had to mechanically extricate the officer from the car.
Based on witness statements and evidence at the scene, police believe a pickup truck traveling south crossed into the northbound lanes of SE 6th Street, crashing into the police car and another vehicle.
The officer, a 23 year veteran of the department, is hospitalized in serious condition. The K-9 was treated and released from an emergency veterinary hospital.
The driver of the pickup truck is in the hospital in good condition.
This crash remains under investigation.
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