Salisbury Police officers were looking for the driver of a green sedan that crashed into a patrol car Wednesday night. The driver escaped on foot.
Police on the scene said the officer was traveling west on Jake Alexander Boulevard when he approached the intersection of Industrial Avenue. The other motorist was traveling east on Jake Alexander Boulevard and tried to turn left in front of the officer onto Industrial Avenue.
The officer swerved to avoid the accident, but his vehicle hit the rear of the sedan. The police cruiser traveled at least 100 yards, snapping a power pole and tree in half, taking out a fire hydrant, and ultimately losing a wheel before coming to rest in a small field in front of WSAT at 1525 Jake Alexander Blvd.
The driver of the sedan ran from the scene, and a K-9 search proved unsuccessful.
Debris from the green sedan and patrol car was scattered along the road and throughout the field.
Salisbury Police, Rowan EMS and the Salisbury Fire Department responded.
The 1200 block of Jake Alexander Boulevard was closed as crews from Duke Energy worked to replace the pole.
The name of the Salisbury Police officer was not released Wednesday night, but authorities said he was being treated at Rowan Regional Medical Center for minor injuries.