Officer run over during traffic stop still in pain but in recovery

In an emotional news conference with reporters, injured Orlando Police Officer William Anderson spoke Wednesday for the first time since he was run over by a car during a traffic stop in July.  Walking with a cane, and with the help of his wife, Jessica, and service dog Polo, Officer Anderson told the group he will never forget the night of July 13.  

It was a night his entire world changed forever.  “I am no longer able to do the things I once enjoyed. I suffer from severe spinal, head, neck and back pain on a daily basis. I also have tremors in my hands and abnormal body movements caused by the injury to my brain.”  The last seven weeks a blur of doctor’s appointments and pain Officer Anderson said he doesn’t know if he’ll ever fully recover from those injuries.

Three teenagers were arrested in the days after the crash. Orlando Police said Anderson was working extra-duty when he responded to a call of shots fired in the area of south Kirkman and Vineland, and he believed that the people in a silver Nissan were possible suspects, trying to get away.  Dashboard camera video from his cruiser shows Officer Anderson as he ran up to the car, gun already drawn. That’s when one of the passengers jumped out and out took off, while police said driver Edward Kelty hit the gas, leaving Anderson on the ground as he sped off.

“It’s heart-wrenching to watch. It’s disturbing, it’s heart-wrenching, it’s very difficult to see someone try to run you over and kill you,” said Jessica Anderson of video.


Now, as he works towards a full recovery, Anderson said his goals are to be able to play with his 19 month old daughter, Abigail, and to be an Orlando Police officer again.