Posted by: kwflatbed
RALEIGH - Raleigh Police Department Officer Steven Salina, who was injured February 27th when he was struck by a car while pursuing a man wanted on begging charges, provided a statement to the media saying that he is recovering and looking forward to being back on the job.
He said he is also thankful for prayers and community support when he was critically injured during the accident.
"I am progressing well and expect to make a complete recovery," said Officer Salina in a released statement to the media. "I love my job as a police officer, and I am anxious to return to it. One of my goals is to go back to work sooner than physicians and therapists expect."
"My parents and I are grateful for God's watch, care and protection over me. We are also grateful for the tremendous outpouring of prayer and support from the community as a whole and from my coworkers at the Raleigh Police Department."
Officer Salina reports that he is focusing on his recovery at this point and requests that he
not be contacted concerning media requests for interviews.
http://www.raleighchronicle.com/2007031311.html Raleigh Police Officer Injured On Interstate 40
From Staff And Wire Reports Wednesday, February 28, 2007
RALEIGH - A Raleigh police officer chasing a suspect on foot was critically injured on Tuesday afternoon after he was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 40 / 440 netween the Hammond Road and Rock Quarry Road exits.
The Raleigh Police Department says that the incident happened when Officer Steven John Salina, age 24, was on patrol in the area near the I-440 / Hammond Road interchange when he saw a pedestrian suspect he knew was wanted for failing to appear on a previous charge.
The failure to appear warrant on the suspect was minor and police said it was related to a "begging charge."
Raleigh Police say that Salina stopped his vehicle at the bottom of the exit ramp from the inner loop of I-440 to Hammond Road.
Police say that as Salina got out of his vehicle to apprehend the suspect, named as William Davis Henry, age 50, began to run. Salina pursued the suspect on foot and called in the pursuit over his two-way radio.
Police say that Henry ran up the exit ramp and proceeded to cross the interstate from north to south.
Pursuing the suspect, police say that Officer Salina was struck by a passenger car as he tried to cross the highway as well.
According to a police accident report, the vehicle that struck Salina was driven by Kendall Rider Smith of Raleigh. Smith remained on the scene and she was not injured. Police say that no charges will be filed against Smith.
Traffic was blocked off from around the area, closing down Interstate 40 and Officer Salina was transported to WakeMed.
According to police, the suspect Henry continued to flee after the crash, but he was apprehended without further incident a short time later.
"In addition to the pre-existing warrant, Henry will be charged with resisting arrest and with felonious possession of a financial transaction card," said Jim Sughrue, Police spokesman in a released statement.
The second charge is related to property found to be in Henry's possession after this afternoon's arrest, say police.
According to various reports, Officer Salina was still in the hospital and in critical condition at the time this article was posted. ::
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