BELLVILLE — The police officer who was hit by a car Sunday evening while directing traffic is home recovering and ‘in good spirits,’ according to Bellville Police Chief Jon Fletcher.
The officer was hit at approximately 10:59 p.m. while on traffic control duty following the Light Up the Valley fireworks show, according to a press release from the department.
Fletcher said the officer was transported to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, where he was found to have bruising and swelling but no broken bones.
“He was struck, but he was more clipped by the car. It wasn’t a direct head-on force,” the chief said.
“There was no indication that it was intentional by any means, it was just a lack of situational awareness (by the driver),” he added.
Fletcher said all eight of the department’s officers were on traffic control duty and the officer who was hit was stationed at the intersection of Mill Street and Main Street.
“It was an all-hands event. Light Up the Valley is normally very large,” Fletcher said. “Last I was told, their best estimate was about 4,500 people last night.”
Fletcher said any time an officer is injured on duty, there is an investigation followed by a review to see if there is anything the department could have done differently to prevent the injury.
While the investigation is ongoing, Fletcher said it appears everything was in order on the police side. The officer had his car parked in the correct location with its lights on, had a lighted red wand and was wearing a reflective vest.
Fletcher said the driver will likely be charged with a moving violation. He cautioned drivers to be alert any time they see a cruiser with its lights on.
“When you see lights, they’re on for a reason. Pay attention,” he said.
