A St. Petersburg police officer heading to a scene where a stolen vehicle had been recovered ran over a man who was lying in the road.
Police say 46-year-old Officer Nicholas Lazzari turned onto the road around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday and didn't see the man who was wearing dark clothing and is small in stature. The cruiser ran over 67-year-old Mark F. Duffy, and dragged him a short distance.
Lazzari stopped his vehicle, found Duffy at the rear of the cruiser and called fire rescue. Duffy was treated and taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Police say he is in serious condition.
Police say Duffy had been reported missing from a nearby assisted living facility.
Traffic homicide investigators are working the case.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
