MIRAMAR, Fla. – A motorcyclist turned himself in to authorities Thursday afternoon after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured a Miramar police officer, authorities said.
Miramar Police Department spokeswoman Tania Rues said the man, identified as Roman Alexander Senda, 27, was questioned by detectives and arrested on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle and failure to stop and remain at an accident involving serious injury.
Senda also faces a charge out of Osceola County.
Police said the officer who was injured was approached by a driver April 28 before the hit-and-run and was told that a motorcyclist was driving recklessly, traveling west on Miramar Parkway and Red Road.
Police said the officer found a motorcycle matching the description with no license plate near Flamingo Road and Miramar Parkway.
The driver was off the bike at the time.
Authorities said Senda got back on the bike when the officer exited his patrol car and accelerated directly at the officer. The officer was pinned between the motorcycle and his door.
Authorities said Senda left the bike at the crash scene and ran away.
Senda's attorney sent Local 10 News a statement Thursday night that said his client "did not intentionally ram his motorcycle into the police car door."
"Clearly the motorcycle inadvertently hit the police cruiser and the officer because he could not break in time or take evasive action once the officer opened the door," the statement said.
The officer was treated for his injures at Memorial Hospital West.