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A Lockland police officer is fighting for his life after he was struck while trying to stop a robbery suspect Monday morning.
Officials say officer Brandon Gehring, 23, was accidentally hit by a police vehicle driven by West Chester officer Kevin Burger, 29, around 6 a.m. as he was putting down stop sticks along southbound I-75 near Shepherd Lane.
Police say the pursuit started as a robbery in West Chester. According to police, Thomas Joyce, 32, held up the Walgreens on Cincinnati Dayton Road near Tylersville Road at gunpoint around 5:40 a.m.
According to the West Chester Police Department, officers located Joyce's vehicle on southbound I-75 and attempted to pull him over.
The pursuit ended in the area of Clifton Avenue and Vine Street with Joyce being taken into custody. He is facing several charges including aggravated robbery, failure to comply and OVI. Police say Joyce has had prior contacts with law enforcement.
Police and firefighters from around Greater Cincinnati have been stopping by University Hospital where Gehring is listed in critical condition. An update on his condition has not been released.
Officer Gehring has been with the Lockland Police Department for two years.
Officer Burger has been with the West Chester Police Department for five years.
"We are in contact with the Lockland Police Department and our thoughts and prayers are focused on the officers and families that have been affected by this incident," said West Chester Police Chief Erik Niehaus.
Officials from the Lockland Police Department, West Chester Police Department and physicians from University Hospital held a press conference this afternoon.
A fund has been setup for Officer Gehring at any
Fifth Third Bank.
9News will have more on this story starting at 5 p.m.
