Fort Worth officer hit by stolen car during chase seriously injured; suspect arrested

A Fort Worth officer who was setting down stop sticks in a road Saturday morning to assist with a pursuit of a stolen car was struck by that vehicle and critically injured, police said.

By early Sunday morning, police said on social media that the officer was stable and in the ICU after having extensive surgery.

Police did not release the officer’s name or details of his injuries.

Ronnie Jackson Jr., 38, drove the vehicle, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted capital murder and evading arrest.

Police found Jackson hiding in a neighborhood near I-30’s Linkcrest Drive exit after he abandoned the car, WFAA-TV reported.

Officers had tried to pull over the vehicle about 11:30 a.m. in the 4200 block of northbound North Freeway, police said, but the driver would not stop.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said in a statement on social media that she visited the hospital.

“It is with a heavy heart that I ask for you to join me in prayer, as a Fort Worth Police officer was critically injured in the line of duty,” Price tweeted. “We spent time alongside his family, friends, and fellow officers today praying for a swift, full recovery. It is moments like this that we must remember the sacrifice our first responders make daily. Please join me in praying for this officer and his family.”

This story was originally published June 13, 2020 at 2:45 PM.