On Tuesday, November 15, at 6 pm, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured when he was struck by a motorcycle in the area of SW Packard Street east of SR 47 in unincorporated Lake City.
The Columbia County Combined Communication Center received a report of dirt bikes driving recklessly in the area and Corporal Archie Crews responded to contact them. When Corporal Crews arrived he exited his vehicle to talk to a subject on a dirt bike. The dirt bike tried to flee the area and struck Crews. The subject fell off the dirt bike, and ran on foot as Corporal Crews gave chase.
Corporal Crews lost sight of the suspect on SR 47 north of Packard where the fled into woods off SR 47. As other Deputies and local Law Enforcement arrived, a perimeter was set and K9 teams from CCSO, FHP and DOC began tracking the suspect.
As a precaution, Corporal Crews was airlifted to UF Shands in Gainesville to be evaluated.
Detectives have been called to the scene and are investigating.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Corporal Crews as we wait for word on his condition”, Sheriff Mark Hunter said. “The suspect will be brought to justice and we will spare no resources to ensure his capture.”
This is an active and on-going investigation.
