COLUMBUS – A Columbus police sergeant and a 32-year-old woman were recovering in the hospital after a wild encounter in a Northeast Side shopping center parking lot Wednesday afternoon.
Holly Graham was fleeing from officers in a Toyota Camry which had been reported stolen in Lancaster when she struck the police sergeant in the parking lot of the Huntley Square shopping center on E. Dublin-Granville Road, according to Division of Police spokesman Sgt. Joseph Albert.
After she first fled from officers in the area of Beechcroft Road and Clintonview Street just before 3:30 p.m. Graham was spotted at a Sheetz convenience store in th 900 block of E. Dublin-Granville Road about 30 minutes later, Albert said.
Graham drove westbound on E. Dublin-Granville Road into the shopping center parking lot where Albert says she began driving erratically.
Graham shifted into reverse before abruptly driving forward and striking the sergeant, then continued driving through the parking lot with the sergeant on the hood of the vehicle.
The sergeant discharged their firearm several times, striking Graham, Albert said.
The Toyota left the parking lot through a grassy area, where the sergeant fell off the vehicle, and drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of travel on E. Dublin-Granville Road.
As she approached the entrance ramp to northbound I-71 north, Graham’s car struck two vehicles head-on.
Officers took Graham into custody and administered first aid until medics arrived and transported her to Riverside Methodist Hospital where she was listed in serious condition and was charged with felonious assault, Albert said.
The sergeant, whose name was not released, was transported to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in stable condition, Albert said.
The occupants of the two vehicles struck by Graham’s car were treated at scene for minor injuries. Albert said.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting, Albert said.