Beverly Hills

Officer in stable condition following crash

By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

A Beverly Hills police officer is in stable condition and will undergo additional surgery after he was struck during a police pursuit in the early morning hours of Oct. 4.

According to Beverly Hills Public Safety Director Rich Torongeau, officers were responding to a call from Southfield police at around 1 a.m. Thursday in which an armed man was reportedly fleeing the parking lot of the TGI Friday’s on Evergreen Road. 

 The suspect fled northbound on Evergreen Road at speeds of over 100 mph and was seen tossing a handgun from his vehicle. The suspect subsequently lost control of his vehicle and struck a fire hydrant before striking the Beverly Hills officer, who was attempting to position stop sticks outside of his patrol car at the time.

Torongeau said the impact launched the officer 30 feet from the road, and resulted in a broken femur, hip, arm and wrist. He underwent two surgeries, and is expected to need additional operations to repair his injuries in coming days.  His identity has not been released at the request of his family.

The suspect was treated for a broken nose, and remains in the custody of the Southfield Police Department. Police were able to recover the weapon thrown from the car, as well as an additional handgun inside the suspect’s vehicle.

Torongeau  said the suspect will be arraigned at 1 p.m. Friday in the 46th District Court in Southfield and is facing a multitude of charges, including obstruction, weapons charges, driving while license suspended and drunk driving.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1105.