Florida: Car found up in flames was used in hit-and-run on officer

Authorities have said that a car found set ablaze was the one used in a hit-and-run that injured an Orlando police officer who was working extra duty as he was conducting a traffic stop early Monday morning. Police said the incident happened outside the McDonald's near the intersection of Kirkman and Vineland roads.

Investigators said Officer William Anderson stopped the vehicle about 2:40 a.m. for unknown reasons, but a passenger in the car ran away. As Anderson moved toward the passenger side of the car, the driver then stepped on the gas and hit the officer and drove away. "Not only is our officer hurt, this person is facing attempted murder charges as far as I'm concerned," said Orlando Police Chief John Mina.

Anderson was able to fire his weapon, authorities said, but there's no word on whether he struck either occupant.

"People need to comply with police officers' orders. If there's a dispute or something like that, that can be figured out later on down the road. That's why we have a court of law. People who run from the police, you know, we are going to bring them to jail," said Mina.

Authorities later located the vehicle they said was involved, but it was up in flames when they arrived on Lake Pearl Drive. The vehicle, which had a shattered windshield, appears to have been a tan Nissan Altima.

The officer is recovering at Orlando Regional Medical Center in stable condition.

The incident was caught on the officer’s dashcam, and the video will be released at a later time.