Police car in pursuit strikes 5-year-old

A 5-year-old Spokane Valley boy suffered scrapes and bruises Tuesday night when a police car knocked him down.

The incident occurred about 5:25 p.m. at the Pinecroft Mobile Home Park, 11920 E. Mansfield, when an officer was starting to pursue a fleeing suspect.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan, the Spokane Valley Police spokesman, said Officer Chan Erdman went to the mobile home park to look for 29-year-old Gary Eugene Grzogorek, who was wanted for escape. Grzogorek jumped into a car and fled when he saw Erdman drive into the park, Reagan said.

According to Reagan, Erdman turned on his emergency lights to pursue Grzogorek, but slowed down for a Ford Bronco. The Bronco stopped, and Erdman was starting to pull around it when the boy ran into the road, Reagan said.

Erdman “clipped” the boy with his bumper before he could get his patrol car stopped, Reagan said. He said the boy jumped up and said he was OK, but the boy’s mother took him to a medical center for X-rays and treatment of “road rash” on his left side and back.

Witnesses told Detective Ken Salas the boy and other children had been playing in the street earlier. Salas asked any witness he has not already interviewed to call (509) 242-TIPS.

Anyone who knows where Grzogorek is should call 911, Reagan said, noting Grzogorek is considered a violent felon.

Grzogorek is white, 5-foot-6, weighs 160 pounds and has green eyes and brown hair. He was driving a brown, two-door 1984 Dodge 600.