El Paso officer struck by car of fleeing family violence suspect who led police on chase before being caught
EL PASO, Texas -- An El Paso police officer was struck by a car Tuesday night after responding to the scene of a family violence call; the alleged hit-and-run driver was later arrested after a chase.
Authorities on Wednesday identified the man as 21-year-old Elijah Andres Miranda of Horizon City. He was being held on $69,000 bond in the downtown jail on charges including aggravated assault, evading arrest, resisting arrest and burglary.
Police said Miranda was fleeing the domestic violence scene in the 8300 block of Carpenter Drive in El Paso's Lower Valley about 7:30 p.m. when he put his car in reverse and struck the officer.
Fire officials said the officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. No one appeared to be injured in the domestic violence incident that drew the police response.
El Paso police launched a large-scale search effort for the fleeing suspect and issued a BOLO, which stands for "be on the look out," to area law enforcement including El Paso County Sheriff's deputies, Horizon City police and Texas state troopers. That BOLO notice included photos of the suspect and his car, according to police scanner traffic.
Later in the night, authorities said Miranda's car was spotted in Horizon City and chased by police - including a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter that was tracking the vehicle. When the car chase ended, police said there was a also a foot chase and a brief struggle before Miranda was arrested in the area of Pebble Hills and Tim Foster.
