The condition of a hospitalized Santa Rosa police officer who was struck by a car while pursuing a robbery suspect Sunday has improved from critical to serious, police said this afternoon.
Lucia Wade, 38, has improved and is expected to survive her injuries, Sgt. Lisa Banayat said. She cannot have flowers or visitors, Banayat said.
"The Police Department appreciates the many inquiries from the community and allied police agencies," Banayat said in a news release.
Wade, a six-year Police Department employee and an officer for three years, was struck by a BMW on Santa Rosa Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Sunday as she chased 43-year-old Manuel Santiago of Santa Rosa.
Santiago is suspected of battering a man and stealing his cell phone in the 500 block of Barham Road Saturday.
His name and photo were posted on a crime bulletin and Wade recognized him as the robbery suspect Sunday when she tried to detain him on Santa Rosa Avenue.
Santiago ran across the busy street but was later detained by a store clerk and arrested.
Wade was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital after she was struck by the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was interviewed and released.
Santiago has been charged with robbery, battery causing serious bodily injury and resisting a police officer causing death or serious bodily injury. He was to have a mental health examination and is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 22 in Sonoma County Superior Court.
Bay City News
