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Tempe police sergeant struck by car while responding to street racing call

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Posted at 12:12 PM, Feb 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-16 13:21:03-05

TEMPE, AZ — Authorities are asking for the public's help after a Tempe police sergeant was struck by car while responding to a street racing call late Friday night.

Police said a team of officers responded to a street racing call near Mill Avenue and Curry Road and were completing an arrest when they noticed a gathering of vehicles.

The vehicles were reportedly conducting burnouts and officers noticed the vehicles were backed into designated handicapped parking without handicapped placards on display, authorities said.

Some of the individuals were inside of the vehicle and some were gathered outside of their vehicles.

As two officers approached the vehicles, one of the SUV vehicles accelerated at a high rate of speed out of the parking spot. As the vehicle accelerated, it struck a Tempe police sergeant from behind.

Police said the vehicle fled the scene and began driving erratically down Mill Avenue. Officers said the vehicle disregarded speed laws and traffic signals while not using its headlights, leading them to not pursue the vehicle.

Tempe police said they located a black Buick Envision over the weekend.

Authorities are still working to identify the driver involved in the incident.

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Authorities said the police sergeant sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

If you have any information about this incident or the identity of the people involved, you are asked to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311.