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Pa. Cop, DUI Plunge Off 22-Foot Bridge During Foot Pursuit

February 15, 2011 |

A Cranberry (Pa.) Police office was seriously injured, after falling from a 22-foot overpass, while chasing a suspected intoxicated man on foot, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Cpl. Dan Hahn, a 21-year veteran, was chasing Thomas Booth, 22, when Booth jumped from an overpass, landing on a roadway below. Cpl. Hahn reportedly didn't know the fall would be so severe, and followed Booth over, landing on the roadway.

Booth died from his injuries, and the officer is listed in critical condition.

The incident came at the end of a multi-agency pursuit covering 20 miles and involving five police departments.

Read the full story at Post-Gazette.com.

Tags: Foot Pursuits, Intoxicated Subjects

Comments (4)

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4
Tracey @ 2/15/2011 8:03 PM I have a feeling even if he new it might be dangerous he still would have jumped to catch the SOB. Officers risk thier lives every day to keep all of us safe. Im sure he will say he was just doing his job. He's a hero and Im praying for a full recovery for Cpl Hahan. Thanks for all you do.
Rick @ 2/15/2011 9:24 PM Live to fight another day comes to mind. Jumping off a bridge while in pursuit of a drunk is ridiculous. The body is fragile enough that a person can be killed when sitting on a bike, falling over and striking their head. Anything over double the person's height is considered a significant fall and is usually a ticket on a helo to a hospital. God speed his recovery and his foot pursuit retraining.
Blake @ 2/15/2011 9:24 PM Great job brother Wishing you a speedy recovery
Deadman @ 2/15/2011 11:31 PM Been there,done that,i guess i was luckier on how i hit.Chasing one of three stealing from railroad cars thru a snow storm at two in the morning,guy disappeared,picked up speed ,ran off railroad bridge abutement,landed on street(brick)below,boy was i just plain lucky i hit right,scared the crap out of me. I hope the officer recovers 100%,it pays to know the area you're patrolling in.Your adrenalin kicks in and who knows what your capable of or what you can survive.I'll pray for speedy recovery.

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4

Tracey @ 2/15/2011 8:03 PM

I have a feeling even if he new it might be dangerous he still would have jumped to catch the SOB. Officers risk thier lives every day to keep all of us safe. Im sure he will say he was just doing his job. He's a hero and Im praying for a full recovery for Cpl Hahan. Thanks for all you do.

Rick @ 2/15/2011 9:24 PM

Live to fight another day comes to mind. Jumping off a bridge while in pursuit of a drunk is ridiculous. The body is fragile enough that a person can be killed when sitting on a bike, falling over and striking their head. Anything over double the person's height is considered a significant fall and is usually a ticket on a helo to a hospital. God speed his recovery and his foot pursuit retraining.

Blake @ 2/15/2011 9:24 PM

Great job brother

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Deadman @ 2/15/2011 11:31 PM

Been there,done that,i guess i was luckier on how i hit.Chasing one of three stealing from railroad cars thru a snow storm at two in the morning,guy disappeared,picked up speed ,ran off railroad bridge abutement,landed on street(brick)below,boy was i just plain lucky i hit right,scared the crap out of me.

I hope the officer recovers 100%,it pays to know the area you're patrolling in.Your adrenalin kicks in and who knows what your capable of or what you can survive.I'll pray for speedy recovery.

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