GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Editor's note: The dashcam video contains audio of an animal in distress. Some viewers may find this disturbing.
A Grand Rapids Police officer and his police dog were involved in a crash overnight Friday while responding to a breaking and entering in progress.
Now, GRPD is on the hunt for the driver and passengers who left the scene of the crash.
Grand Rapids Police said around 3 a.m., a GRPD K9 team's cruiser had its lights and sirens on when it was struck by a vehicle headed westbound on Hall Street SE.
Authorities believe that vehicle was speeding, and the driver ran away from the scene.
Dashcam video shows the driver almost immediately getting out of the car and taking off, while two other passengers can be seen in the frame walking away.
Detectives said they are now searching for an early 2010s Nissan Altima that showed up to the crash and took the passengers away from the crash scene.
The officer was pinned inside his cruiser from the impact of the crash, and first responders had to pull him out of the car.
He's doing OK, but K9 Dozer suffered serious injuries. He was later diagnosed with a spinal bruise and does not have use of his back legs at this time. Authorities say it is unclear if he will regain that mobility.
“If you know anything about this crash or those involved, please contact GRPD or Silent Observer,” said Chief Winstrom. “We need your help. We all want and deserve safe streets and this kind of reckless behavior is a danger to us all.”
A crosswalk signal at Hall Street Southeast and Madison Avenue Southeast was also damaged in the collision.
If you have any information on this crash, you can contact officers at (616) 456-3771 or (616) 456-4282. Tips can also be sent anonymously through Silent Observer (616) 774-2345/ www.silentobserver.org.
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