A Hialeah police officer was hospitalized after a motorcyclist struck him during a traffic stop early Sunday morning, officials said.
Officials said the incident happened around 4 a.m. when Hialeah police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the motorcyclist in the area of East 4th Avenue and 49th Street.
As the officer approached the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist accelerated towards the officer and struck him, causing injuries to the officer, officials said.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Roberto Ortiz, then abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot into a residential area. A perimeter was set up and Ortiz was ultimately located and taken into custody, police said.
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Ortiz faces charges including motorcycle theft and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
The officer was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery and was still recovering Monday.
Footage showed the officer, Alfonso Delgado III, being brought into the hospital on a stretcher. The Hialeah Police union saiod Delgado suffered fractures and torn ligaments in his knee, but was expected to be discharged from the hospital soon.
A records check revealed that the motorcycle was reported stolen out of the City of Miami on May 10, police said.
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Records also showed Ortiz was accused of stealing another motorcycle in March, and had a suspended license.
In court Monday, Ortiz was granted a $30,000 bond but was being held until he could see a division judge because he's out on probation.
