EAST LANSING, Mich. — An officer with the East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) is recovering from minor injuries today after an accident that occurred last night at approximately 1:20 a.m. in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby in Meridian Township.
ELPD was assisting with the Special Olympics: Law Enforcement Torch Run and, after the run was over, a group of runners and assisting law enforcement officers had gathered in the Hobby Lobby parking lot. The ELPD officer involved in the accident was going to move a patrol vehicle in order to provide space for an RV that was leaving. The driver of the RV did not see the officer and, as he was turning, he pinned the officer between the two vehicles. A group of police cadets that had participated in the run observed the incident and were able to lift the back of the patrol car to free the officer.
The ELPD officer was treated at the scene and transported to Sparrow Hospital, but he was not admitted. He is recovering at home from minor injuries. The officer is 34 years old and is a nine-year veteran of ELPD. The Meridian Township Police Department is investigating the accident.