Norman Police Officer's Vehicle Crashes, Bursts into Flames During Pursuit

News9.com

NORMAN, OK -- A Norman police officer is lucky to be alive after his car crashed Saturday during a pursuit.

At about 2 a.m., the officer spotted a person driving a stolen vehicle and gave chase near Franklin Road and Flood Avenue.

The driver of that vehicle, Ryan Bennett, led the officer onto I-35. When the officer got near Highway 9, Norman Police said his car crashed. The officer's vehicle went through the center median, hit the embankment, flipped over and then burst into flames, according to police.

"He's gonna be okay. He's pretty sore. He was transported to Norman Regional, where he's being checked out," said Lt. Chris Dirck, Norman Police Department.

The suspect didn't get away. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers, and Purcell and Norman Police Departments continued the pursuit until the Davis exit on I-35. That's when troopers used their Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to stop the vehicle and take the suspect into custody, police say.

The Norman Police Department officer has been treated and released from the hospital.