An Edgewater police officer remains in critical condition after suffering a heart attack during a struggle with a DUI suspect, but doctors are optimistic he will improve enough to be taken off life-support in the next few days, Edgewater Police Chief John Mackey said Sunday.
Cpl. Michael Nesbitt, 47, suffered and is at Lutheran Hospital.
He was among officers who confronted Connor Michael Dougherty, 26, after he wrecked the motorized scooter he was driving while fleeing an attempted traffic stop early Friday.
Dougherty crashed the vehicle in the parking lot of Jefferson High School, 2305 Pierce St., police said.
He then fought officers as they tried to put him in custody, police said.
Nesbitt is married and has two 10-year-old daughters, Mackey said.
Nesbitt’s family issued a statement saying they were “overwhelmed and humbled at the prayers and support received from the community,” and asking that people pray for him, Mackey said
Both Dougherty and Nesbitt were taken to a hospital. Dougherty was treated, released and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of multiple charges including second-degree assault of a police officer.
