Salem Police Officer Struck, Hospitalized During Criminal Investigation

UPDATED 10:30 a.m.

SALEM, MA — A Salem police officer struck by a car during an investigation on Pope Street was recovering from her injuries at Salem Hospital on Thursday night.

Salem police said the officer was struck at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The driver who hit her fled the scene. The vehicle involved was later found being towed on Jackson Street.

Police said the officer was "conscious and alert" when taken to the hospital for an evaluation. In an update on Friday morning, police said the officer is "expected to make a full recovery."

Police said the vehicle believed to be involved in the hit-and-run was found at about 3 a.m. and that its license plates had been switched.

"The vehicle has been seized and is currently being examined," police said. "The investigation is ongoing and arrest warrants for the driver and other involved parties are being sought."

Police said the hit-and-run was connected to a drug investigation and was an "isolated incident."

They said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

"We believe that the perpetrators have left the Salem area," police said. "The Salem Police are grateful for the outpouring of concern for our officer — we believe it is emblematic of our relationship with the community."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)