WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Local 4 has learned that a man is in custody in connection with a crash that hurt a Waterford Township police officer.
Officer Annette Miller and her K9 officer were on patrol Wednesday when she observed a sport-style motorcycle traveling westbound on Elizabeth Lake Road at a high rate of speed. Miller attempted to follow and identify the motorcycle when a blue, 1999 Volkswagen turned in front of her vehicle.
Images: Waterford Township police car crashes
She swerved in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid a collision with the car before leaving the road and striking a tree near Scott Lake Road.
The 20-year-old Waterford Township man driving the Volkswagen was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons but is expected to be OK.
"That kid, by the time she had hit him, that bike had to be down (M-59) and gone by this time. That's how fast the kid came flying through here," said Henry Carr, who lives nearby.
Watch: Officer in critical condition after crash
The K9 suffered a minor injury in the crash. He was taken to a veterinarian who treated the injury to his paw. He is expected to make a full recovery, police said.
Images: K9 officers of Metro Detroit
Rescue crews spent nearly 45 minutes trying to free Miller from the mangled vehicle. Her K9, Tondo, was first to to be freed, but witnesses say the dog kept trying to get back to Miller.
"They popped the back door and the dog got out, and kept trying to get back to her," said Dwight Keith, who lives nearby.
Miller remains in serious condition.
Sources say the motorcyclist connected to the crash is now in police custody after he posted something on his Facebook about getting away from the cops.
Officer Annette Miller and her K9 partner, Tondo, are pictured in a 2010 news release conducting a substance abuse search at Waterford Township's Mason Middle School.