Garden Grove police officer hit by car during foot pursuit, critically injured

An officer with the Garden Grove Police Department is in critical condition after he was hit by a car during a foot pursuit early Sunday morning.

According to a news release, officers were investigating an assault with a deadly weapon call in the area of Brookhurst Street and Stanford Avenue at 12:05 a.m. when the suspect, armed with a knife, ignored commands and fled officers.

In an ensuing foot pursuit, an officer, who remains unidentified publicly, was hit by a vehicle unrelated to the incident.

The officer was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. As of 3:30 p.m., he was still said to be in critical but stable condition. No additional details were immediately made available.

The original suspect was later caught and taken into custody. He was identified as 34-year-old Lonnie Johnson by police. They say that he faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon for criminal threats.