Officer Struck During Dallas Parade

Officer suffers non-life threatening injuries

A Dallas police officer suffered non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a van Saturday morning.

Lt. Scott Walton of the Dallas Police Media Relations Unit said the officer was directing traffic for Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Parade at the time of the accident. The incident happed at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Colonial Avenue.

Sgt. Gary Brown of the Dallas Police Traffic Division said a new driver had just got behind the driver's seat when it rapidly accelerated and went around the barricades.  The officer tried to get the driver to stop. The van struck the officer before it stopped.

"In investigating this incident, we believe that the operator misapplied the gas and the brake and there were no signs of intent by the driver," said Sgt. Brown.  "We can tell there were no signs of intoxication, drug use or any kind of medical issue."

The officer was checked out for possible broken shoulder and minor scrapes and bruises at Baylor Medical Center Dallas. 

No arrests or charges are anticipated.  Police did not release the names of the officer or the van's driver.

The annual parade route started at Dallas City Hall and continued to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Dallas.

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