(Des Moines, IA) -- A Des Moines police officer and a fleeing suspect are both in the hospital after being hit by vehicle.
The Des Moines Police Department says the officer initiated a traffic stop after an individual was driving their vehicle in reverse in the 3700 block of SE 14th Street Monday evening.
Around 7:45 pm, the officer reported the encounter with the driver turned physical. The suspect attempted to flee the officer, when a vehicle struck the pair.
Sergeant Paul Parizek, with the Des Moines Police Department, says the suspect was found in their police system.
"There were some serious narcotics warrants out and the person was known to go armed," said Sgt. Parizek. "That's somebody we don't want in the community."
The identities of the police officer and suspect struck by a vehicle have not been released, but the two remain in the hospital with serious injuries.
Sgt. Parizek says the police department is actively waiting for their co-worker's recovery. He spoke to WHO 13 about the risks of being a police officer.
"We come out here everyday to make sure that we stand between those folks and the people who live in this city," said Sgt. Parizek. "Unfortunately, this is a risk. It doesn't take anything away from the job. We'll all come back tomorrow too, but it's hard."
An investigation into the situation is ongoing.