Kentucky: Lexington police officer hit by car while chasing shoplifter near 7th Street

An officer was struck by a vehicle Friday while he was pursuing a shoplifting suspect who led him on a chase from the Speedway on North Broadway and Seventh Street.

The officer was chasing the suspect who left the Speedway gas station on Broadway and ran to a getaway vehicle parked on Dakota Street, off West Seventh Street. Another man was in that car. The officer was struck as the car pulled off.

The officer eventually walked back to the Speedway to finish his paperwork. He was being checked out by paramedics at the scene. He had a slight ankle injury and scrapes on both knees, but he was walking around.

Police say the getaway vehicle crashed into a pole on Toner Street, which runs off West Sixth Street, but kept going. The car has front end damage.

Officers don't have a very good description of the shoplifter or the other person with him. They are hoping witnesses can provide them with descriptions that will lead to arrests.