Officer involved in foot chase struck by Metrobus in Northeast DC, police say

A D.C. police officer pursuing a suspect on foot was struck by a Metrobus and critically injured.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A D.C. police officer pursuing a suspect on foot was struck by a Metrobus and critically injured.

The unnamed officer assigned to the Fifth District was on patrol after 10 p.m. Wednesday when D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham says the officer spotted a man he suspected may have had a gun.

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As the officer chased the man across Bladensburg Road in Northeast, he was struck by the bus.

The officer, who is married with three children, is in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.

Chief Newsham says it appears to be just a terrible accident.

"During 'Police Week' to have an officer at the hospital in critical condition is particularly devastating to all of us specifically I'm sure to his family and the members in the fifth district so if anyone would like to help us please your thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated," said Newsham.

Newsham says the man the officer was pursuing was stopped and found not to have a gun.