A Mountie and an Abbotsford Police officer have serious injuries after a car hit a police cruiser in Burnaby

Two officers were standing outside a parked cruiser when the police car was hit by another vehicle on North Fraser Way

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – Two police officers are hurt after a hit and run Monday when someone drove their car into a cruiser.

The two officers — one an RCMP member and another with the Abbotsford Police Department — are police dog handlers. They were standing outside a parked cruiser on North Fraser Way near North Fraser Crescent when another vehicle hit the cruiser.

Corporal Michael Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP says the call first came in as a possible impaired driver around noon, and when an officer approached the vehicle it took off into oncoming traffic, hitting the two officers a short time later.

Cpl Michael Kalanj with @Burnaby says this incident first started off as a possible impaired driver. When an officer approached the car, the driver took off into oncoming traffic and a short time later hit the two officers. @NEWS1130 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/LRaYUUjNeH — Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) March 5, 2019

“A siren went on … then it went off,” described Roberto, who witnessed the incident. “Then a semi came down. In between the semi, some car flew and he hit the officers. He hit them in a pinch. He hit them probably 70 to 90km/h.”

He says one officer was thrown into the air and 15 feet into a fire hydrant. He believes the other had a serious leg injury.

Two police officers were seriously hurt when a car hit a police cruiser on North Fraser Way in Burnaby on Mar. 4, 2019. (CityNews Vancouver Photo)

The two officers — both men — were taken to the hospital.

Initial reports from BC Ambulance suggested they suffered critical injuries. But Burnaby RCMP now say their injuries are believed to be serious but non-life threatening.

Corporal Kalanj says both officers are in better shape than initially expected, but couldn’t say when they would be released from hospital.

RCMP are still looking for the suspect, but have found his car. They believe alcohol may have been a factor.

The car involved in this hit and run was reported stolen, and found a short distance away from the incident thanks to a tip from the public. While @BurnabyRCMP have a suspect description, they aren’t releasing details yet. @NEWS1130 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/obDsFqW1wV — Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) March 5, 2019

“The vehicle was stolen, so our investigation is ongoing as to who the driver may be,” Corporal Kalanj says.

He adds the car, a late model Toyota Camry with distinctive tinted windows, was found a short distance away from where the officers were hit thanks to a tip from the public.

If you have any information about this incident, you’re asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9511.

– With files from CityNews Vancouver