Springfield officer seriously injured in crash; other driver flees scene

Nov. 8—A Springfield Division of Police officer was seriously injured Thursday night in a two-vehicle crash involving a cruiser.

The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on Selma Road near York Street on the southeast side of Springfield.

Officer Terry Hopewell, 36, was headed southeast on Selma Road in a 2023 Ford Explorer with its lights and sirens activated when the officer attempted to overtake a car also headed southeast on Selma Road.

The driver of the 2007 Chevrolet Impala apparently did not pull to the right and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle and as the officer attempted to pass, the driver of the car turned left onto York Road, leading the cruiser to strike the Impala, according to the Springfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Hopewell suffered serious injuries and was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center.

A passenger in the cruiser, a 24-year-old Springfield man, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and also was taken to Springfield Regional.

The driver of the Impala fled on foot from the crash, troopers said.

The Springfield Division of Police has not responded to questions regarding the incident to which Hopewell was responding at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the Springfield Post of the highway patrol.