A second Dade City officer fired at the fleeing vehicle.

DADE CITY – A police officer was struck by a fleeing suspect and another officer fired at the fleeing car during a traffic stop in Dade City on Saturday (Dec. 2) night, the Dade City Police Department said.

Kevin Burns, 38, was flown to Bayonet Point Hospital in serious condition. The department said early this morning (Dec. 3) that Burns was in stable condition.

Police said that Burns, a 13-year veteran of the department, was intentionally struck as he approached the car, which had stopped in the roadway in the 14000 block of State Street.

Believing that the car’s occupant may be involved in a drug transaction, Burns called for back-up. Dade City police Officer Miguel Velez, 27, arrived and pulled in behind the suspect car. When Burns moved toward the car, the driver accelerated and struck Burns while fleeing the traffic stop.

Velez, a one-year veteran, fired his service weapon at the fleeing car. The suspect turned west onto Marshall Avenue, struck a dark blue Ford Fusion, and escaped.

Velez has been placed on administrative leave, per established procedures, pending further investigation into the shooting.

Police video shows that the suspect car is a gray 2018 Nissan four-door sedan with Florida tag 770-YRV. The car is owned by the Hertz Corp. and was reported stolen in Tampa on Nov. 6. Police said they believe the car’s windows may have been broken during the encounter. It is unknown if the suspect, believed to be a man with short cropped hair, was injured.

Police ask that anyone with information related to the suspect or car involved in the incident to contact Detective George Richardson at (352) 521-1495. Witnesses may remain anonymous. Callers may also contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) and could be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is helping in the investigation of both the hit and run and the officer-involved shooting.

For information about the Pasco sheriff, go to pascosheriff.com.

Pasco Sheriff | Dade City Police | Police Officer Injured | Hit and Run | Traffic Crash | Tampabay News

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