CHICAGO OFFICER STRUCK BY HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER

A Chicago police officer was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop in the South Side's South Shore neighborhood Wednesday night.

According to preliminary information, a white automobile was pulled over during a traffic stop near East 71st Street and South Dorchester Avenue about 9:10 p.m. During the stop, the vehicle attempted to flee the scene and struck the beat officer, police news affairs Officer David Banks said.

The vehicle then crashed near the intersection of East 79th Street and South Stony Island Avenue, according to Banks.

The driver is in police custody and charges are pending, Banks said.

The officer was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, but was not seriously injured, said Banks, who was citing preliminary information.

Calumet Area detectives are investigating.