Mt. Juliet police dog seriously hurt in wreck. City prays 'for the best possible outcome'
The dog, named Aksel, was riding with police officer and partner Reese Harper and responding to a report of a domestic-related shooting when the crash occurred, according to the Mt. Juliet Police Department.
Harper was not injured.
It wasn't immediately clear on the morning of April 24 if the dog had undergone surgery yet.
"Our primary concern today is his ongoing medical care, the well-being of his partner Officer Harper and our shared hope and prayers for the best possible outcome," Mt. Juliet Police Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler said on April 24.
No other medical updates were immediately available.
Aksel is a one-year-old Belgian Malinois and Shepherd mix who began service with the Mt. Juliet Police Department in March, Chandler said.
The crash occurred around 4:40 p.m., as the officer was driving northbound on North Mt. Juliet Road and entering the intersection at Old Lebanon Dirt Road with lights, siren and the enhanced "rumbler" siren activated, according to police.
A juvenile driver initially stopped and then unexpectedly accelerated into the intersection, hitting the police vehicle on the driver's side rear wheel area, according to the Mt. Juliet Police Department.
The impact caused a loss of steering control and the patrol vehicle collided with the rear of a pickup truck that had pulled over to yield to the police vehicle.
The officer was initially trapped because of damage to the driver's side door but was later able to exit through the passenger side.
Aksel was taken to Avenue Animal Hospital, where his leg injury was stabilized. The dog was then transferred for emergency surgery at a specialized Middle Tennessee veterinary facility.
Aksel was demonstrating "strong promise in his role with the department," as he moved toward the process to gain official certifications, according to the city's news release.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
The Tennessean will provide additional information as details become available.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mt. Juliet K-9 cop Aksel seriously hurt in crash, to undergo surgery
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