Suspect at large after 2 police officers struck in Burnaby hit-and-run

Police are searching for a suspect aftera hit and run in Burnabythat sent two police officers to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries on Monday.

Burnaby RCMP said the collision happened just before noon near the 5000-block of NorthFraserWay.

Cpl.Michael Kalanj saidthe two officers, who are members of theLower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, were struck by a driver in a white late-modelToyotaCamry. The vehicle had been reported stolen.

Possible impaired driver

Kalanj said police had received a report about a possible impaired driver in the vehicle just prior to the collision.

When a BurnabyRCMPofficer responding to thecalllocated the vehicle, the suspect fled.

Police foundthe trashedvehicle in a nearby industrial area near Keith Street and Ivy Avenue about an hour later.

Kalanj said thetwo police officers had beenstanding outside their policevehicle training their dogs when they were hit.

One of the injured officers is an RCMP member from outside Burnaby. The other is an officerfrom the Abbotsford Police Department.

Both men are currently being treated in hospital.

Sgt. Judy Bird of the Abbotsford Police Department said the Abbotsford police officer isexpected to be released from hospital Monday night.

"He is sore but we are pleased that he has no broken bones," Bird said."Our thoughts are with the RCMP, and we hope that both officers have a speedy recovery."

Witness account

Roberto Farinah, who works in the area, said he heard a siren go off and saw a white flash, which he believes was a car accelerating through at a very high speed.

Farinah said he called 911 then went outside to help,saying the officerslooked to be "critically injured."

"Two were down, one stayed to try to assist," he said.

Police are hoping to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.Witnesses are asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9511.