COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police released body camera footage from the sergeant who was struck by a stolen vehicle on the city's north side on Wednesday.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla driven by 32-year-old Holly Graham they said was stolen out of Lancaster, but were unsuccessful. They decided to stop after a short period of following the vehicle.
Around 30 minutes later, officers found the Corolla in the parking lot of the Sheetz gas station at 975 East Dublin Granville Rd.
Police said the plan was to deploy stop sticks to prevent the vehicle from fleeing again, but officers saw the vehicle turn into Huntley Square shopping center and start driving erratically. Officers were able to block off all the exits of the plaza.
Bodycam footage from the sergeant shows him get out of his cruiser and run in the direction of the stolen vehicle that was reversing through the parking lot.
The sergeant then gets out his gun and points it at the vehicle, telling the driver to "stop the car" twice before the driver accelerates the vehicle and hits him.
While on the hood of the car, the sergeant fires multiple shots into the front window, striking the driver at least once. He then falls off the hood and onto the road as the vehicle drives over a grassy median and exits the parking lot.
Other officers who were already at the scene shouted at the driver to get out of the car as the driver attempted to accelerate before she was able to free the vehicle and take off onto East Dublin Granville Road.
Bodycam then shows the sergeant who was struck walking around and talking to other officers and Franklin County Sheriff's deputies at the scene who tell him to sit down and wait for a medic. The sergeant, who is not being identified because of Marsy's Law, was taken to Grant Medical Center and later released on Friday.
While Graham was attempting to leave the area, she reportedly hit two other vehicles head-on in the area of Interstate 71.
Officers took Graham into custody and rendered aid until medics arrived. She was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in serious condition, Albert said.
Police said the occupants of the two vehicles that the woman hit were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has initiated an investigation.