Police: Man hit by cruiser, critically injured

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (AP) - Montgomery County Police say a man was critically injured when he was hit by a police cruiser in Gaithersburg.

The crash occurred late Tuesday on Chestnut Street as police say an officer responded to a domestic violence call.

Police say 61-year-old Otto Reed of Gaithersburg was in the road when he was hit. Officer Drew Soldano, a 7-year veteran of the Department, called for assistance and began to help Reed. He was taken to an area hospital and police say Soldano was not injured.

Police say the initial investigation found that the cruiser’s lights and siren were activated and that the pedestrian was not in the crosswalk at the time of the crash.

Soldano was put on paid, administrative leave, as the department requires in such cases.