Police Department stresses its desire to be transparent in investigation as it releases video footage
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Sarasota Police Department announced that its Traffic Unit “is investigating a serious crash involving one of our officers and an 8-year-old boy riding a dirt bike.”
The incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, near the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue, a news release said. “The officer was leaving the scene of a different call for service when the collision happened.”
The child “sustained serious injuries and was transported to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital” in St. Petersburg, the release noted. The night of Oct. 28, the release continued, “he underwent surgery …” He remained “under the care of medical professionals, surrounded by family,” on the morning of Oct. 29, the release added.
“Our thoughts are with the child and their loved ones during this challenging time,” the release said.
The area between the 2100 block and the 2400 block of Maple Avenue “was closed for several hours as investigators gathered evidence at the scene,” the release added.
The officer involved in the incident “was not injured and is on restricted administrative duty,” the release noted.
A map shows that the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue is in the Newtown community of north Sarasota. It lies between North Orange Avenue and North Osprey Avenue, west of U.S. 301.
“We understand the community’s desire for answers, and we are committed to providing transparent updates as we verify critical information,” the release explained. “The Sarasota Police Department will continue to share verified information as it becomes available,” the release said.
In an update released about 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, the agency noted, “Our thoughts remain with the 8-year-old child and his family as he continues to receive care for serious injuries following last night’s tragic accident. The officer involved was uninjured but is understandably shaken by the incident.
“To ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, the Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit is working closely with the Florida Highway Patrol,” that news release continued. “Together, troopers and officers are actively reviewing all available evidence related to the incident.”
On Tuesday, that release added, investigators were “collecting video evidence and conducting interviews with witnesses to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident.”
Again, the statement pointed out, “We are committed to a transparent investigation and appreciate the community’s patience during this time.
“We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” the update said.
Late in the afternoon of Oct. 30, the Police Department released video clips related to the incident, plus a video showing Chief Troche making a statement.
“The officer was leaving the scene of a separate call for service when the child entered the intersection in front of the officer’s vehicle,” Troche said. “The child is still hospitalized at this time, and we cannot imagine how difficult this is for his family.”
Troche explained the other videos that may be viewed after his comments at this link.
“One of the videos,” he said, “is the officer’s body camera video. We want to warn you that the video is difficult to hear and watch. Viewer discretion is advised. The other video is from a different officer’s in-car camera. If you look to the right of the screen, you will see the child on the dirt bike, just moments before the crash. Again, we want to warn you that this video may be difficult for you to watch,” Troche added.
The in-car camera of the officer involved in the crash makes it clear that the vehicle struck something, which prompted exclamations from the officer as he stopped the vehicle and then ran from it toward the victim, who was lying in the street.
One adult male can be seen at first near the child; then, more people arrive on the scene.
That officer initially tried to perform CPR on the child; then, a second officer arrived and began attending to the child.
Later, the video shows an officer motioning for a Sarasota County Fire Department EMS unit to pull up the street to reach the scene.
Ultimately, officers place the child in the EMS unit.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is being encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Sarasota at 941-366-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous, the news release pointed out.