Updated on February 10 at 6:54 p.m.
The officer who was seriously injured has been working at the Tucson Police Department since Oct. 2021 and is a patrol officer in Operations Division West.
The incident took place in the southbound lanes of N. Stone Avenue just north of E. Glenn Street.
He was taken to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Doctors had to perform a lower leg amputation when the officer was taken in for emergency surgery.
The officer is in critical but stable condition and is expecting a long recovery after undergoing more surgeries.
According to TPD, "the officer remains under the close observation of the incredible staff at Banner UMC. He is in good spirits and has expressed his gratitude for all the support he has received."
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Updated on Feb. 9 at 4:19 p.m.
TPD has identified the driver who struck an officer Thursday morning.
The driver was identified as 42-year-old Edward Esquibel Jr.
Esquibel was charged with Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Injury, Felony Endangerment and Felony Criminal Damage.
He was booked into Pima County Jail, and a bond for Esquibel has not been set.
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A Tucson police car-involved wreck at Stone and Glenn Thursday shut down the intersection.
At 3:20 a.m., an officer responded to a report of a man lying in the road. The officer parked the car north of the intersection and turned on the emergency lights.
Shortly after, a vehicle hit the police car. The officer was seriously injured and was in stable condition Thursday.
The driver was arrested for a suspected DUI.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star. He is married and has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
