COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 62-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a wrong-way crash on the city's southeast side injured two Columbus Division of Police officers Wednesday morning.
Police say that David Becker, of Columbus, has been charged with one count of aggravated vehicular assault. Any additional charges may come at a later time.
According to Columbus police, the crash happened just before 11 a.m. on South Champion and Stanley avenues.
A 2015 Lincoln MKC, operated by Becker, was traveling the wrong way on South Champion Avenue when he struck a police cruiser, police said. After the crash, Becker continued to drive the vehicle southbound, attempting to flee the scene.
The vehicle eventually became disabled at the intersection of South Champion Avenue and East Whittier Street. Becker then attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly taken into custody.
A Columbus police sergeant said both officers were briefly unconscious and taken to Grant Medical Center. Becker was also taken to Grant Medical Center. All of their conditions were described as stable.
Police said the person operating the wrong-way vehicle was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed.
Columbus Police Commander Mark Denner said he was heartbroken to hear about the crash.
“When I hear we have two officers struck especially after a violent weekend, our hearts go out to them. Our hearts go to the department and everyone who has to respond, and the community,” said Denner.
Becker is being held in the Franklin County Jail.
The Columbus Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit is continuing the investigation.