Wanted Driver Accused of Hitting Police Officer With Pickup Truck

A chaotic confrontation outside a business in Chicago quickly escalated when police responded to reports of a fight and gunfire. What began as a disturbance soon turned into a dangerous encounter involving a pickup truck and an officer.

The incident happened shortly after 2 a.m. on a Saturday near Belmont and Central avenues. According to Chicago police, officers were called to the area after reports of a battery in progress and shots being fired. An employee reportedly directed officers toward a man who was getting into a red pickup truck.

OFFICERS APPROACH THE PICKUP TRUCK

POLICE MOVED TOWARD THE VEHICLE AND ORDERED THE DRIVER TO GET OUT. INSTEAD OF COMPLYING, THE DRIVER ALLEGEDLY ACCELERATED TOWARD THE OFFICERS.

Investigators said the pickup truck struck one of the officers before continuing away from the scene. As the vehicle left, officers fired their weapons at the truck.

The encounter happened in only a matter of seconds, leaving officers facing an immediate threat as the vehicle moved away from the original scene.

SUSPECT FOUND WOUNDED NEAR THE TRUCK

Police later located the pickup several blocks away in the 3200 block of North Menard Avenue. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Carlos Sanchez-Roa of Hammond, Indiana, was found on the ground near the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition.

A FIREARM WAS ALSO RECOVERED FROM INSIDE THE PICKUP TRUCK, ACCORDING TO POLICE.

Sanchez-Roa was subsequently taken into custody while receiving medical treatment.

SERIOUS CHARGES FOLLOW THE INCIDENT

Prosecutors charged Sanchez-Roa with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery to a peace officer and aggravated assault on a peace officer, according to CBS Chicago. His court appearance was later delayed, and the circumstances surrounding his medical release were not immediately clear in the report.

THE CASE HIGHLIGHTS HOW QUICKLY A POLICE RESPONSE TO A REPORTED FIGHT AND GUNFIRE CAN DEVELOP INTO A HIGH-RISK VEHICLE ENCOUNTER.

The investigation focused on the reported gunfire, the alleged assault on the officer and the moments when the pickup truck moved toward police. Authorities continued reviewing the evidence and circumstances surrounding the shooting.