A 25-year-old man jumped behind the wheel of a running police cruiser Tuesday and deliberately drove into a veteran San Diego Police officer who was outside the vehicle interviewing a witness.

Officer Jeffrey Swett, who was hospitalized with serious but not life- threatening injuries, was in an alleyway working a call about a hot prowl in the 3600 block of Main Street when he was struck about 10:30 p.m., according to San Diego police Lt. Mike Hastings.

Another officer also investigating the hot prowl opened fire on the suspect, who sustained at least one non-life threatening gunshot wound, Hastings said.

The suspect was identified as William Frank Bogard.

“Police are still gathering information to determine what occurred during the burglary of the residence,” Hastings said.

— City News Service

Chris Jennewein is founder and senior editor of Times of San Diego.