Teen Cyclist Struck By Tampa Police Cruiser While Crossing Busch Blvd.

TAMPA, FL — A 13-year-old girl is in critical condition after being struck by a Tampa police cruiser Wednesday night while attempting to cross Busch Boulevard on her bicycle.

At 7:40 pm, a Tampa police officer was traveling west along Busch Boulevard, crossing North 22nd Street at the green light when the teen on the bicycle attempted to cross Busch Boulevard approximately 75 feet west of the crosswalk.

The bicyclist was struck by the police vehicle, knocking her off her bike. The officer, a five-year veteran of the department, immediately stopped and exited her vehicle, radioed for medical help from Tampa Fire Rescue and checked on the injured teen.

The officer, assisted by additional responding Tampa police officers, provided first aid until Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and took the teen to a nearby hospital. The teen is currently listed in critical condition with a broken leg and a head injury.

The officer, though shaken, was not injured in the crash.

"Our thoughts are with the teen cyclist who was injured in this unfortunate incident, and we hope for her full recovery," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "We take all accidents involving our officers seriously. Our officers are dedicated to protecting the safety of everyone who uses Tampa's roads, whether they are on foot, in a car or on a bike. This is a distressing reminder that we must continue our efforts, as a community, to ensure that all pedestrians and cyclists travel safely throughout our city."