An on-duty police officer driving on Veterans’ Drive struck and killed a pedestrian Friday night, police said Saturday.
Identified by police only as a “black woman possibly in her 40s,” the victim was crossing Veterans’ Drive northward near Gasverks Gade at 10:27 p.m. Friday when the police vehicle, driven by an officer who has not been identified, struck and killed her, according to a short statement Saturday.
An informed source said the woman was pregnant, although police refused to confirm any details.
Traffic Supervisor Sgt. Roselyn Jarvis said the identity of the victim has not yet been verified but stated that she expects to conclude her investigation in a few days.
Police would not say whether the officer was tested for alcohol.
"That’s part of the investigation," VIPD spokeswoman Melody Rames said Saturday.
Assistant Police Commissioner Raymond L. Hyndman said Saturday the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The officer is also scheduled to meet with the VIPD psychologist, Hyndman said in the statement.
“The case will be investigated the same as any other case — there will be no preferential treatment of police involved in any investigation,” Hyndman said.
EDITOR’s NOTE: This story was changed to say that the officer was on duty, not off duty as originally reported.
