01.04.2026 | 12:05 AM | GARDEN GROVE – A police officer is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle during a foot pursuit involving an assault suspect who was later apprehended, early Sunday morning.
The incident began to unfold in the 12700 block of Brookhurst Street when Garden Grove police responded to reports of a suspect involved in an assault with a deadly weapon at a 7-Eleven convenience store around 12:05 AM.
One officer arriving on scene contacted the suspect, who was armed with a knife, and ordered him to surrender.
The suspect refused to comply with officers and fled on foot setting off a brief foot pursuit that ended when an unrelated red 2004 BMW 330ci coupe collided with the officer on Brookhurst Street near Stanford Avenue.
Medics and additional officers arrived on scene and rendered aid to the downed officer before rushing him to UCI Medical Center where he was in critical condition.
The suspect eluded officers for about two hours but was ultimately apprehended nearby in the 9900 block of Stanford Avenue thanks to the use of a police drone and K9 officers.
The suspect, who was combative with officers once apprehended, was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
The driver of the BMW that struck the officer remained on scene and appeared to be cooperating with law enforcement.
All traffic in the area of Brookhurst Street and Stanford Avenue was being diverted while officers investigated the incident.
