A civilian injured in a Wednesday collision with a Columbus Police Department patrol vehicle is currently hospitalized in Jackson.
Despite law enforcement’s initial reports that no one involved in the crash sustained life threatening injuries, the civilian driver suffered a brain bleed in the collision, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins confirmed Friday.
“Once they got to the hospital, I think they determined that he had a brain bleed that needed to be addressed,” Hawkins told The Dispatch. “So they flew him to Jackson.”
Hawkins said the crash, which happened at the intersection of 22nd Street South and College Street, remains under investigation for now.
“To be honest, we’re still looking into some factors of the case, but we haven’t gotten everything complete yet,” Hawkins said.
The officer was responding to a request for emergency backup at about 11:51 a.m. at the time of the collision with the civilian vehicle. CPD Public Information Officer Bryan Moore told The Dispatch the officer’s lights and sirens were engaged.
A press release sent to The Dispatch just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday said the patrol vehicle was traveling east on College Street when it struck the civilian vehicle as it was entering the intersection from 22nd Street. The press release also said no life threatening injuries had been reported.
Moore told The Dispatch on Friday “no one told us” about the driver’s deteriorating condition. He said the department’s press release reflected the information they had at the time it was released. No followup press release was issued with an update on the driver or officer’s condition.
Moore told The Dispatch on Wednesday the officer driving the patrol car during the collision would be given time off due to his injuries. There will be no impact to his employment at this time, pending more information from the investigation, Moore said Friday.
The city issued a statement Thursday night from Mayor Stephen Jones regarding the crash, in which he called the collision a “frightening and unfortunate event for everyone involved.”
“We are sincerely thankful to the first responders and caring citizens who provided assistance and offered prayers,” the statement said. “As the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office conducts its investigation, we will support their efforts and remain committed to providing whatever information is required.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of all citizens,” it continued. “We will use this vehicular collision to reflect on ways to improve and strengthen our commitment to safety.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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