Two Bradenton Police Officers Hospitalized After Suspect Strikes Them With Car Outside Wawa

Two Bradenton Police Department officers were hospitalized after a suspect struck them with a vehicle while attempting to flee a Wawa convenience store in Bradenton, Florida, early Sunday morning, November 8, 2026.

According to police, officers responded around 3:20 a.m. to reports of a man with a gun harassing customers at the Wawa near the intersection of 1st Street and 6th Avenue East.

When officers arrived, the suspect reportedly entered his vehicle and struck two officers while attempting to leave the scene.

Both officers were hospitalized, with one suffering serious injuries.

Two additional officers fired at the fleeing vehicle, and a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies followed.

The incident ended when the suspect crashed near 1st Street and 10th Avenue West in Bradenton.

The suspect was also hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Authorities said the investigation remains active.

What Happened at the Bradenton Wawa?

According to a November 8 report from WWSB ABC7, Bradenton Police Department officers were dispatched to a Wawa convenience store at approximately 3:20 a.m.

Police had received reports of a man carrying a gun and harassing customers at the business near 1st Street and 6th Avenue East.

Officers responded to investigate the disturbance.

According to the initial report, the suspect entered his vehicle and attempted to flee the scene.

While leaving, the suspect struck two Bradenton police officers with his car.

Both officers sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.

One officer was reported to be seriously injured, although authorities have not released details about the specific injuries.

The initial report does not identify the suspect or either injured officer.

Two Police Officers Injured, One Seriously

The Bradenton Police Department confirmed that two officers were hospitalized following the collision.

One officer sustained serious injuries.

The condition of the second officer was not described beyond the fact that hospitalization was required.

Authorities have not disclosed the officers’ ages, identities, or the nature of their injuries.

The report also does not indicate whether either officer required surgery or how long they were expected to remain hospitalized.

Motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians can result in severe injuries, particularly when a person is struck unexpectedly and has little opportunity to avoid the impact.

In this case, the injured officers were responding to a reported disturbance when the suspect allegedly struck them with his vehicle.

We hope both officers make a full recovery.

Officers Fire at Fleeing Vehicle

After the two officers were struck, two additional Bradenton police officers responded and fired at the suspect’s fleeing vehicle, according to WWSB.

The suspect continued attempting to escape.

The report indicates that the vehicle was heading toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when law enforcement agencies pursued it.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and Bradenton Police Department were involved in following the suspect’s vehicle.

Authorities have not released details about how many shots were fired or whether the suspect was struck by gunfire.

The report also does not specify whether the suspect’s injuries resulted from the collision, the police gunfire, or another cause.

Those circumstances remain unclear.

Pursuit Ends With Crash Near 1st Street and 10th Avenue West

The incident eventually ended when the suspect crashed near 1st Street and 10th Avenue West in Bradenton.

According to the report, the suspect was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities have not released details about the crash itself, including whether other vehicles were involved or whether additional people were injured.

The initial report also does not identify the suspect’s vehicle or explain the circumstances that caused the crash.

No information about criminal charges was included in the available coverage.

The investigation remains active.

Investigation Into Bradenton Police Incident Continues

The November 8 incident involves several circumstances that authorities may need to examine, including the initial reported disturbance, the collision that injured two officers, the subsequent police gunfire, and the vehicle pursuit.

Investigators may review evidence such as:

• Surveillance footage from the Wawa convenience store
• Police body-worn and dashboard camera recordings, if available
• Witness statements from customers and responding officers
• The suspect’s vehicle movements before striking the officers
• Physical evidence from the initial collision
• The circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of firearms
• Evidence from the pursuit and final crash

The available report does not establish the suspect’s intent when the vehicle struck the officers.

It also does not provide enough information to determine whether any particular charges have been filed.

Because the investigation remains active, additional details may emerge as authorities review the evidence.

Florida Law Regarding Vehicles Used to Injure Others

Florida law recognizes that motor vehicles can cause serious injuries when operated recklessly or deliberately used to strike another person.

Depending on the circumstances, incidents involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian may raise questions involving criminal conduct, civil liability, or both.

Florida Statute § 784.07 provides enhanced penalties for certain assaults and batteries committed against law enforcement officers performing their lawful duties when the statutory requirements are met.

Florida Statute § 784.045 addresses aggravated battery, including certain circumstances involving great bodily harm or the use of a deadly weapon.

However, the application of these laws depends on the evidence and the specific facts of an incident.

The available report does not identify any charges filed against the Bradenton suspect.

It would therefore be premature to conclude that a particular criminal offense has been established.

Legal Options When Someone Is Injured by a Vehicle

When a person is injured after being struck by a motor vehicle, the circumstances may give rise to civil legal claims.

Potential legal issues can include negligence, intentional misconduct, available insurance coverage, and the nature of the injuries sustained.

However, incidents involving police officers injured while performing their duties may also involve workers’ compensation benefits and other legal considerations that differ from ordinary pedestrian accident claims.

Whether a civil claim is available depends on the specific circumstances and applicable law.

A criminal investigation and a civil injury claim are separate legal matters, and the outcome of one does not necessarily determine the outcome of the other.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys represent individuals who have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions and other incidents involving negligent or wrongful conduct throughout Florida. We understand the importance of carefully reviewing the facts before determining what legal remedies may be available.

Bradenton Police Investigation Remains Active

The Bradenton Police Department continues to investigate the November 8, 2026, incident that left two officers hospitalized after being struck by a suspect’s vehicle outside a Wawa near 1st Street and 6th Avenue East.

According to police, officers initially responded to reports of a man with a gun harassing customers.

The suspect allegedly struck two officers while attempting to flee, leaving one seriously injured.

Additional officers fired at the fleeing vehicle, and a pursuit involving Bradenton police, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol followed.

The suspect eventually crashed near 1st Street and 10th Avenue West and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities have not released the identities of those involved or announced specific criminal charges in the available report.

Our thoughts are with the injured officers and their families as they recover from this incident.

Attorney Review

Attorney review pending: Michael T. Flanagan, Esq.

Michael T. Flanagan, Esq., is a dedicated civil litigator with over a decade of experience representing victims of negligence and corporate misconduct. He gained national recognition at 29 for securing a multi-million-dollar settlement against a major corporation, making him one of the youngest attorneys to achieve such a result. Known for handling difficult cases, he has repeatedly won multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in cases other firms had turned down. He co-founded Flanagan & Bodenheimer to offer personalized, high-quality legal representation to those in need.