Minnesota: Police cruiser struck by motorist

A Big Lake Police officer is recovering after his cruiser was struck by an out-of-control motorist Sunday. Big Lake Police Chief Joel Scharf says Officer Chris Hoard was stopped on just off Highway 10 waiting for a vehicle that was reported to be driving recklessly when the driver of a different vehicle made an abrupt lane change, made contact with another vehicle and lost control.

The minivan careened through the intersection of Highway 10 and Industrial Drive and struck the Ford Explorer Officer Hoard was in. Chief Scharf believes the collision was at at least 65 miles per hour, based on the damage inflicted on Hoard's cruiser. A check found that the driver of the van has two outstanding warrants in a different state, has no license and no insurance. He is currently being held in the Sherburne County Jail after being checked out at a hospital. Officer Hoard was taken to a hospital to be checked out. He is badly bruised but is expected to return to work later this week. His Chief says if the impact would have occurred two feet back (right on the driver's side door) the story could have had a very different outcome.

A post on the Big Lake Police department detailing the incident ends with a plea to motorists to pay more attention to the road and changing conditions.

"Please slow down, and pay attention to changing road conditions, someone's life depends on it!"