Pedestrian struck by Ocean City police officer on 56th Street and Coastal Highway
A pedestrian was struck by an Ocean City police officer at the intersection of 56th Street and Coastal Highway at about 9 p.m. Friday, officials said.
The victim was a 26-year-old man from Connecticut, said Lindsay Richard, Ocean City Police Department spokeswoman. He was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, and Richard said Saturday the man was released from PRMC overnight with minor injuries.
She added she could not disclose the victim's name.
Richard said she was told there is no indication that the officer was involved in a pursuit at the time of the collision.
READ MORE: H2Oi driver 'behavior has been sad,' Ocean City official says
The vehicle involved in the collision was a marked Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a full-time officer, she added.
Richard said the cause of the collision was under investigation by the OCPD Traffic Safety Unit Saturday morning, as it gathered video and witness accounts. Northbound Coastal Highway was shut down in the area for about an hour due to the collision, she said.
The incident occurred at the beginning of a busy weekend for police as car enthusiasts flocked to Ocean City this weekend, despite the official H2Oi event being canceled weeks ago.
The popular but notorious event attracts car lovers, who showcase mostly heavily modified Audis and Volkswagens up and down Coastal Highway.
Ocean City Police announced they would still be prepared for the influx of cars despite the cancellation.
The department said earlier in the week that allied agencies will be in town to assist local police, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Worcester County, Wicomico County and Queen Anne’s County sheriff’s offices, according to town police.
Between 11 p.m. and midnight, it was clear the police force was in full effect.
Numerous drivers were pulled over by officers as lights flashed throughout the town. Traffic in Ocean City on Friday was similar to a summer weekend night rather than two days in October.
READ MORE: Despite H2Oi cancellation, car enthusiasts head to Ocean City
BACKGROUND: Ocean City H2Oi event postponed until 2018
Modified cars hummed up and down the highway, often burning rubber at stop lights. Mini crowds formed at many street corners to video the burnouts, quick drag races and whatever else might happen when the engines crackled. Viewers also sat on balconies, perched up high to see the cars below.
None of the bystanders near 56th Street late Friday were willing to comment about the crash involving the pedestrian.
During 2015's H2Oi event, police responded to 773 service calls compared to 1,096 in 2014. Additionally, arrests totaled 38, well below the 53 estimated Thursday to Sunday average.
Previous events were based out of Fort Whaley Campground in Whaleyville.