Capitol Officer Injured in Hit and Run Accident

RALEIGH — A State Capitol Police officer remains in critical condition after being injured in a hit and run accident Wednesday night.

Raleigh Police say the driver of a Ford Expedition ran a red light at the intersection of Wilmington and East Jones Streets. The SUV crashed into the side of Officer Brandon Bradshaw's Dodge Intrepid cruiser around 10:50 p.m.

"It was estimated by the officer as traveling at between 50 and 60 miles per hour at the time of the collision," says Capt. Michael Longmire of the Raleigh Police Department. "It is obviously careless and reckless driving."

Bradshaw's car was crushed upon impact, and the officer was left unconscious.

Police say the driver of the Expedition, Roland Jerome Bynum, 28, of Durham, got out of his vehicle and fled the scene. He was arrested soon after the accident happened.

Bynum has been charged with felony hit and run, careless and reckless driving and failing to obey a traffic signal.

The Durham man has a prior record of traffic violations in Wake County -- an arrest in 1998 for speeding, and an arrest six years ago for driving while his license was revoked.

Bradshaw, 28, is being treated at WakeMed. One of Bynum's passengers was also taken to the hospital.

The officer is a native of Farmville, Va., and currently lives in Johnston County. He has been on the force for about three years.

The State Capitol Police serve Wake County. Duties include protecting state property and investigating crimes at state buildings. Officers also provide security for inaugurations and prison executions.