A Canal Fulton Police officer was injured after crashing his police cruiser while responding to an emergency call on Saturday, authorities said.
Officer Robert Stetka, Jr., 27, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Impala police car north on Milan Avenue - just north of Market Street - at around 11:30 p.m. to assist a female victim in a moving vehicle.
Police said the woman was asking for help as she was being transported by her intoxicated husband, who she said was armed with a gun.
Police were attempting to catch up to the suspect vehicle, and Stetka, a two-year, full-time officer, was following two Lawrence Township Police officers with their lights and sirens activated, attempting to help the victim.
Police said Stetka approached a curve on North Milan Street and lost control of his cruiser, causing it to fish tail and strike a utility pole.
The officer was trapped inside the car, authorities said, and was quickly freed by the Jaws of Life.
Stetka was taken to the Akron City Hospital for a dislocated shoulder. Authorities said he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.
Canal Fulton Police Chief Douglas Swartz commended Stetka in a Facebook poston Sunday:
As Ptl. Stetka’s Chief, I support the officer and his actions should be commended. A female was obviously in distress and was calling for our help and the officer(s) were doing just that. Police cars are merely a piece of equipment and what matters is that Ptl. Stetka was able to walk away with minor injuries. Ptll. Stetka wanted to pop his dislocated shoulder back in place and return to his shift that night. A very dedicated and sound police officer in my book.
Police also said Lawrence Police ultimately arrested the suspect in which the officers were attempting to apprehend prior to the crash.
