Investigation Of Teen Run Over By Officer Could Take Weeks

Pensacola Police Chief John W. Mathis says it could take weeks to complete the investigation into the death of a teenager who was run over by one of his officers.

“This is a tragic event,” Mathis said. “Our intent is to keep events like this from happening in the future. This is not the outcome anyone wanted.”

According to investigators, Officer Jerald Ard spotted 17-year-old Victor Steen at a construction site Saturday. When he tried to question the teenager, police say Steen took off on his bicycle. Ard flashed his lights, but Steen didn't pull over. Investigators say Ard then shot a stun gun out his window, but missed Steen. Steen then turned into a parking lot, crashed his bicycle and was run over by Ard's car. Steen was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ard has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.

The Pensacola Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit is an administrative review of the incident. The Florida Highway Patrol is also investigating.