Arkansas: Officer Run Over by Car, Shots Fired

An Arkansas police officer has survived being run over by a car during an encounter with a suspect in Benton County after which shots were fired. It happened shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday in Bethel Heights.

The Bethel Heights Police Department (BHPD) says the officer was treated and released and the suspect is hospitalized in the ICU at Northwest Medical. It happened at the corner of Lincoln and Apple Blossom.

A news release issued by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) late Thursday morning stated that its Criminal Investigation Division has been requested by the BHPD to investigate the use of deadly force by two BHPD officers. State Police say the incident happened as a BHPD officer was trying to take a suspect into custody. The officer struck by the vehicle and another officer at the scene fired their handguns and struck the suspect. His wounds are not believed to be life threatening. There's no word yet on why the suspect was being taken into custody.

The ASP says its investigation will be confined to the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer. Upon completion of the investigation, the case file will be submitted to the prosecuting attorney to determine whether the use of force was consistent with Arkansas laws.