A ten year veteran of the Fremont police department is recovering from serious leg injuries Tuesday following a violent crash on city streets Monday.
The suspect in the case remains on the loose.
Investigators said the driver of a stolen van purposely hit the officer. Officer Patrick Brower, who was riding a police motorcycle, was dragged for several feet before getting tangled under the van after the van struck a street light.
The driver of the van has been identified as Alexander Diaz. He faces attempted murder charges. Diaz is a parolee out of Southern California, and police said he should be considered extremely dangerous.
Diaz ran away from the scene and hasn't been seen since.
Monday evening Fremont police detained someone on a BART train in Hayward in connection with the investigation. Police Detective Bill Veteran said he could not specify what the connection was between that person and the attack on the officer.
Brower, 43, is married with three sons. He underwent extensive reconstructive surgery to his leg and foot. Surgeons inserted a rod into his leg to stabilize his bones. Brower is expected to be released from the hospital later this week and should make a full recovery.
Anyone with any information on the case is encouraged call (510) 790-6800 or the Silent Witness Hotline (510)494-4856.
