Suspect in officers’ hit-and-run in custody

Milwaukee police arrested a man they believe was driving a car that struck two police officers in a Thursday afternoon hit-and-run on Milwaukee’s north side.

The 18-year-old man was arrested in the 7000 block of N. 78th St. on allegations of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, second-degree reckless injury, hitand-run causing great bodily harm and hit-andrun causing injury, police said Friday.

Three other passengers who were inside the car also were arrested for failing to report an accident and were issued citations.

The officers were patrolling N. Sherman Blvd and W. Villard Ave. on foot just before 5 p.m. when the driver struck another vehicle before striking the officers and fleeing, according to police.

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn identified the officers as Paul Marchese, 54, who has 14 years of service in the department, and Andrew Marx, 43, who has served for nine years.

One of the officers suffered significant head lacerations but did not appear to lose consciousness; the other suffered shoulder and leg injuries but no broken bones, Flynn said.

“I think all things being equal, we’re very, very lucky,” Flynn said, adding that a number of parents of the car’s occupants brought them to police.

Police will present the case against the driver to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days. The investigation is ongoing.