Reading officer hit by passing truck during traffic stop

A Reading police officer was struck by a passing pickup truck during a traffic stop Saturday night, and police are asking the public for help locating the driver, authorities said.

Reading Police Chief David Clark said an officer stopped a car near 326 Lowell St. just before 7:30 p.m. on Willow Street when he was struck in the elbow by the side mirror of a passing pickup truck just before 7:30 p.m. The truck continued east on Lowell Street and turned south on Willow Street, Clark said.

Clark said the officer was treated and released from a local hospital with injuries that are not considered serious.

Police said the pickup was red and possibly an older model. Authorities are asking area residents to check home surveillance cameras for images that may have captured the event.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 781-944-1212.

Nick Stoico can be reached at [email protected].