Suspect sought after CHP officer hit by stolen car in Hayward

HAYWARD — A California Highway Patrol officer suffered minor injuries early Thursday when he was hit by a stolen car that fled the scene, authorities said.

The officer fired a shot at the fleeing vehicle but the driver and vehicle were able to escape and are being sought, authorities said. It is not known if the shot hit the vehicle or driver.

The incident unfolded at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when CHP officers from the Hayward area on an traffic stop were advised by a motorist of a man passed out in a vehicle a few blocks away.

The officers found the man asleep in a silver Toyota sedan at Tarman Ave and Jackson Street. A check of the license plate showed the car was reported stolen.

The officers placed a spike strip in front of the vehicle to prevent it from fleeing and attempted to wake the driver, the CHP said. When the driver woke, he put the vehicle in drive, turned the wheel to the left, and began driving directly at one of the officers, the CHP said.

The vehicle struck an officer’s leg and the officer fired one round at the vehicle, the CHP said. The officer also stepped on the spike strip while avoiding the fleeing vehicle., the CHP said.

The vehicle struck the spike strip and a parked car while fleeing the scene. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the vehicle. The injured officer was treated at the scene.

The CHP is asking for  assistance from the public in locating the suspect and vehicle. A detailed description of the suspect was not released but  the vehicle has front end damage. Anyone with information may call the  CHP Hayward office at 510-489-1500.

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