Animal Control Vehicle Struck By Hemet Hit-and-Run Driver

HEMET, CA — A Riverside County animal control officer suffered minor injuries Wednesday when his patrol vehicle was rammed by a hit-and-run driver.

Officer Harvey Beck was driving the pickup at the time of the incident, which occurred about 4 p.m. at the intersection of State Street and Stetson Avenue, according to Department of Animal Services Public Information Officer John Welsh.

Beck was driving north on State Street, en route to the county's San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, when a man driving a Chevrolet Suburban sped out of a parking lot and slammed into the passenger side of the SUV.

"The driver of the Suburban exited the vehicle and fled the scene on a skateboard," Welsh said. "Authorities started a search of the area."

There was no word on whether the suspect had been apprehended.

Beck suffered injuries to his right thumb and ankle. Welsh said the officer declined to be taken to a hospital, saying he intended to seek medical treatment on his own.

"We know many people may have wondered if any animals were hurt in this crash, so we wanted to share this incident to ensure everyone that the truck was empty," Animal Services Lt. John Stephens said. "Of course, we’re also relieved that Officer Beck should recover well too."

Anyone with information on the collision was asked to contact the Hemet Police Department at 951-765-2400.

— City News Service and Patch Editor Renee Schiavone contributed to this report