Corona police officer struck by driver during Canyon fire evacuation recovering

Last Updated on September 26, 2017 by CCAR Staff

A Corona police officer who was helping to control traffic during the Canyon fire on Monday night was struck by a motorist who drove around a barricade, police said.

Update (Wednesday, Sept. 27): Canyon fire evacuations lifted; only residents with ID let back in

David Shaheen was arrested Monday night, Sept. 25, 2017, on suspicion of felony hit-and-run after authorities say he skirted a barricade blocking off roads during the Canyon fire in Corona. Courtesy of Corona Police Department

“The officer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and was treated and released,” said Corona police Lt. Paul Mercado on Tuesday morning.

The driver, David Shaheen, who Mercado said fled the scene, was eventually caught. He was released on bail.

The unidentified officer was off his motorcycle directing traffic at Green River and Montana Rancho roads around 8:30 p.m. when police say Shaheen drove around the cones and markers, striking the officer.

Shaheen was later found a short distance away and arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, Mercado said.

The area where the incident took place was part of the mandatory evacuation area for the Canyon fire.

REMINDER: For the safety of our personnel please do NOT drive around road barricades. #CanyonFire

— Corona Fire Dept (@CoronaFireDept) September 26, 2017