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Fleeing Hit-And-Run Suspect Slams Into Oakland Police SUV; Officer Injured

OAKLAND (CBS SF) - An Oakland police officer was recovering from his injuries Wednesday after an fleeing, armed suspect slammed into his SUV as he investigated an unrelated accident, authorities said.

Officer Johnna Watson said the incident began around 8:46 p.m. in the 700 block of 98th Ave. Officers were called to investigate a crash of a car into Grace Baptist Church at 705 98th Avenue. The church sustained significant damage and three people were injured.

While the unidentified officer was setting up traffic control near the church crash scene, a driver was involved in a hit-and-run of another vehicle several blocks away. As the driver sped away from the scene, he rammed his car into the officer's SUV.

A 40-year-old Hayward man was taken into custody and police recovered a stolen, loaded gun inside his vehicle.

The injured officer -- who was in the SUV -- was taken to the hospital for treatment as were the three people from church crash. The officer was released after receiving treatment. The condition of the other three victims was not known.

As bad as the damage looked, the pastor at Grace Baptist Church said they will be back open Wednesday afternoon.

"The exit is not an exit anymore," said Rev. Charles L. Hopkins. "So once they put the exit signs back up and we turn the lights on, we can start praising the Lord. Somebody say 'Hallelujah!'"

Rev. Hopkins has been the pastor for 21 years. He says the same thing happened here 10 years ago.

"I can't blame the city. I can't blame the police department," said Rev. Hopkins. "All I can say is that the driver that was driving, he should have been able to manage his equipment."

Both incidents remain under investigation.

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