East Ridge police officer expected to recover after being hit by car during chase | Local News

Local 3 continues to follow an East Ridge police officer who is recovering in the hospital after being hit during a high-speed chase while trying to use his brake batons.

The treatment and care Officer Alan Resendiz received at the scene ultimately enabled him to recover as quickly as possible and return to duty with the East Ridge Police Department.

East Ridge Police Chief Clint Uselton said Officer Alan Resendiz’s situation has changed since the incident Monday night.

“He has since undergone at least two surgeries and has more scheduled. We are told that although he is very seriously injured, the prognosis at this point appears to be very good,” Uselton said.

Resendiz was seriously injured and suffered several broken bones.

Despite what Resendiz is going through, Uselton said he is in good spirits.

“I was at the hospital about an hour, hour and a half ago, and I was able to talk to him for a few minutes. He was smiling. His nickname among his coworkers is ‘Smiley,’ because he’s a happy guy who really goes out and helps people and makes things better than when he got there,” Uselton said.

Chief Uselton is grateful that Resendiz’s injuries are not more serious than they already are.

“Obviously, when a guy gets hit by another vehicle going that fast, you hope nothing bad happened,” Uselton said.

The incident shook the department.

“Obviously you’re very concerned about him; our families know each other, so it’s not just Officer Resendiz who’s suffering right now. I saw his wife and children, and they’ve also been through a very traumatic event, as has his fellow officer,” Uselton said.

East Ridge city officials said donations to help Officer Resendiz, who was hit by a suspect, are being collected through a Venmo account set up by another officer’s wife.