An Independence police officer is recovering after being hit by a vehicle while riding a four-wheeler at Riverfest.
Officer Tyler Runge was working a detail in Bellevue on Sept. 6 to help with Riverfest when he received a call for an unresponsive person. He was riding an ATV through this intersection when he was hit by a vehicle.
“Our department is a pretty family-oriented agency, and he’s been a big part of it for the better part of a decade,” Sgt. Georgre Kreutzjans said.
Runge wears many hats for Independence Police, from an evidence collector to a SWAT officer to a bike cop.
It’s part of why Kreutzjans said it was difficult to hear he’d been involved in a serious crash Sunday night.
“When one of your teammates is injured and you hear there’s
a head injury, and they’re going to the hospital, and they were hit by a car, you become kind of concerned,” he said.
As he rode his ATV through Donnermeyer and Berry Avenue with lights and sirens, he was hit by another driver.
He fractured his skull in the process, but Kreutzjans said he’s now doing OK — back home with his wife and two kids.
“I think he’s doing okay, He’s in good spirits. He’s probably a little bit bored at home. He likes to work,” Kreutzjans added.
Bellevue police released a statement that said, "We are heartbroken that he was injured in our city while protecting and serving the residents of Bellevue. We ask that you help support him and his family during this difficult time and keep him and his family in your prayers."
“When things like this happen, the community is quick to jump up and offer condolences and support to the family, and it just makes it a great place to be,” Kreutzjans said.
He said they do expect Runge to return as soon as his doctor says he’s ready.
A GoFundMe has been created to assist Runge and his family through his recovery.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Independence officer recovering after ATV crash during Riverfest
