Suspect sought after Durham officer hurt during overnight traffic stop

Two cars crashed overnight in Durham, prompting police to close a stretch of Dearborn Drive while they investigated the incident.

Posted 10:20 a.m. Oct 26, 2018 — Updated 11:20 a.m. Oct 26, 2018

Joe Fisher

, WRAL multimedia journalist

DURHAM, N.C. — Police in Durham are searching for the driver of a car that struck one of their officers during an overnight traffic stop Friday before the fleeing driver wrecked a few miles away from the initial scene, authorities said.

The officer, whose identity was pending, was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said they have a suspect's name and description but they have not yet publicly released the information.

Police told WRAL News that the officer had pulled a vehicle over on Olivia Court around 2 a.m. When the officer was walking up to the vehicle, the driver fled from the scene and struck the policeman.

The driver left the scene but lost control of the vehicle and crashed on Dearborn Drive, which was closed between Forrester and Ruth streets while police investigated the crash. Wreckage of the debris was still evident at the scene at 5 a.m.

Police said the driver jumped out of the car and fled from the scene.

Anyone with information was asked to call Durham police.

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