Bradenton officer remains in ICU with brain injury after being struck by suspect

BRADENTON, Fla. — A Bradenton police officer remains hospitalized in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a suspect's vehicle early Sunday morning, according to the Bradenton Police Department (BPD). Police said the senior patrol officer was one of two officers struck while responding shortly after 3:20 a.m. to a report of a man with a gun harassing customers at a Wawa near First Street and Sixth Avenue East. A second officer suffered a lower-body injury and has since been released from the hospital. Investigators identified the suspect as Dejerrian D. Murray, 35. According to police, Murray struck the officers with his vehicle while trying to leave the Wawa. Two additional Bradenton police officers fired at his vehicle. Murray then drove toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge before returning to Bradenton as officers pursued him with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol, according to a news release. The pursuit ended when Murray crashed near First Street and 10th Avenue West, police said. Murray suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. He was later released and booked into the Manatee County Jail. BPD said Murray faces two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, fleeing or attempting to elude at high speed or with wanton disregard, hit-and-run with serious bodily injury, hit-and-run with injury, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, violation of probation and resisting arrest without violence. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Florida brain tumor patient says nearly $1 million in medical bills are now covered after insurance denial Five months after an insurance fight over brain surgery, Broqsten Bunt says he is medically cleared and has a zero balance on nearly $1 million in billed care. Brain surgery patients gets billed paid for after insurance denial More Sarasota and Manatee County News from Tampa Bay 28 Eight people arrested for stealing check donations mailed to churches: MCSO Brian McBride Police investigating murder after woman found dead at apartment complex: SPD Brian McBride Parrish Halloween haunt brings scares, neighbors together Haley Zarcone Man loses $6,000 in Sarasota horse-buying scam Brian McBride