DADE CITY, FL (970 WFLA) -- A 13-year veteran of the Dade City Police Department was injured last night after being run over by a car that he was approaching on suspicion of a drug transaction.
The Department reports that 38-year-old Kevin Burns (pictured above) had approached a gray four-door sedan that had come to a stop in the 14000 block of State Street at around 10 p.m. last night.
Burns believed that the vehicle's occupant may have been involved in a drug transaction, and called for backup.
The backup officer, Miguel Velez, 27, pulled in behind the suspect vehicle and as Burns approached the vehicle, the driver accelerated and struck Burns. Officer Velez, a one-year veteran, fired his weapon at the fleeing car after it struck Burns.
The perpetrators were driving a stolen vehicle; a 2018 Nissan with a Florida tag 770-YRV. The police believe the windows may have been broken as it escaped.
It is unknown if the suspect, believed to be a black male with short cropped hair, was injured.
Officer Burns was transported by Bayflight to Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson. He remained overnight for observation and is expected to be okay.
Officer Velez is, per established procedures, on administrative leave, pending further investigation into the shooting.
UPDATE: Dade City Police have named a person of interest in the hit-and-run incident that injured Officer Kevin Burns. They are looking for 19-year-old Devyn Fields (pictured below).
Police are asking if you know the location of the vehicle or subject, or have any information about this incident, please call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).