Video released in connection with Sarasota officer crash; the child remains in hospital

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Sarasota Police Department has released video showing an officer-involved crash involving an 8-year-old child riding a dirt bike.

Police say the child is in hospital at the time of this report.

Department Chief Rex Troche details the circumstances leading to the crash, which police say occurred when an officer left the scene following an emergency call Monday evening around 6:30 p.m.

You can watch the video below; Viewer discretion is advised.

The incident occurred at the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue.

Police say the child entered the road on a dirt bike.

The video provided shows the perspective of a dash cam and another officer’s body alert camera.

The Sarasota Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol continue to investigate the incident.

You can read the boss’s message here:

“My name is Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche. Today we are sharing an important update regarding Monday evening’s accident. The collision occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue. The officer was leaving the scene of a separate call for service when a child entered the intersection in front of the officer’s vehicle. The child is currently still in the hospital and we cannot imagine how difficult this situation is for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we are working with the Florida Highway Patrol to conduct a thorough investigation. As a transparent agency, we are releasing two videos today even though the incident is currently under investigation. One of them is the recording from the officer’s body camera. The video is difficult to hear and watch. Viewer discretion is advised. The second video comes from another officer’s dash cam. If you look to the right of the screen, you will see a child on a motorcycle just before it crashes. We want to warn you again that watching this video may be difficult for you.”