A suspected hit-and-run driver was detained following a manhunt Wednesday afternoon after he mowed down a San Francisco police officer who was on a bicycle and is now hospitalized in critical condition, police said. Jean Elle reports.
A suspected hit-and-run driver was in custody following a manhunt Wednesday afternoon after a San Francisco police officer on a bicycle was mowed down and critically injured, police said.
Maurquise Johnson, 50, was arrested on multiple charges, including hit and run, reckless driving causing bodily injury, evading an officer with willful disregard and a probation violation. He also could be facing an attempted murder charge.
Around 12:20 p.m., officers from the Tenderloin station observed a suspect who they believed was carrying a firearm, according to police Chief Bill Scott.
"It appears that the suspect became aware of the officers' presence" and took off, hitting the officer who was on the bicycle beat, according to Scott.
The officer, a four-year veteran, suffered "significant" leg injuries in the crash on Turk Avenue between Van Ness Avenue and Franklin Street. He was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and underwent surgery, Scott said. He was recovering in the intensive care unit late Wednesday.
SFPD officers gathered at the hospital, and the injured officer's family was expected to arrive late Wednesday from out of state.
Johnson was tracked down and taken into custody in the 500 block of Ellis Street about 3:30 p.m., officials said. The vehicle involved in the hit and run was located earlier, but unoccupied.
During the manhunt, police asked people to shelter in place in the vicinity of Buena Vista Park or to avoid the area altogether. Video from the scene showed a cluster of police cars as well as officers combing the area.
The shelter-in-place and avoid-the-area orders for Buena Vista Park were lifted about 3:50 p.m., police said.
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The crash caused bus and Muni delays and heavy traffic in the area.
The investigation is ongoing, and although an arrest has been made in the incident, SFPD investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message. Tips may remain anonymous.
NBC Bay Area's Jean Elle contributed to this report.
