Police officer seriously injured after driver flees traffic stop in Richmond

A Richmond RCMP officer is recovering in hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries while conducting traffic enforcement this week.

Shortly after 3:30 pm on Monday, the officer initiated a vehicle stop near the area of No. 3 Road and Alderbridge Way after noticing the driver of a 2005 Audi allegedly using a mobile device.

The Audi did stop, but then abruptly turned and headed eastbound along Alderbridge Way, striking the officer.

The Audi also collided with a police vehicle near Alderbridge Way and Shell Road after attempts were made to stop it.

Following the first collision, the Audi then collided with a civilian vehicle, before it was last seen travelling at a high rate of speed northbound on Garden City Road towards Sea Island Way.

The police vehicle sustained substantial damage while the civilian vehicle sustained minor damage.

The Audi was eventually found severely damaged and abandoned in the 7000 block of Heather Street in Vancouver at around 10:30 pm.

On Tuesday, Richmond RCMP said a potential suspect in the incident has been identified.

Anyone with  information is asked to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or by email at [email protected].