La Crosse police officer runs over fellow officer, suspect in Trane Park parking lot
By: -----
La Crosse Police release video of an incident at Trane Park last Friday, where an officer and suspect were run over by another officer.
One of the videos is from the body camera of Officer Adam Lange. It begins by showing him approach Austin Clark, who is standing next to his bicycle on Chase Street by the park.
Police were looking for another person who looked similar to Clark at the time.
When Clark denies he’s this other person, Officer Lange asks for an ID. Clark becomes evasive and tries to leave.
Lange takes Clark over to his squad vehicle parked in the driveway to Trane Park. Clark continues to resist and the two end up on the ground as Lange tries to control him.
A passerby tries to help. It is during this time that Lange calls for backup.
According to police reports, Officer Matthew Lee-Baker was the first to arrive. Video shows his squad car’s dash cam as he drove down Chase Street towards the entrance to the park. Upon seeing Officer Lange’s squad, the video shows Lee-Baker’s squad pausing for a moment, then slowly pull in along the side of Lange’s vehicle.
After running over the two men on the ground, audio can be heard telling Lee-Baker to back up. The dash camera shows the squad car backing up.
Body camera video then shows Lee-Baker getting out of the squad and assisting with getting Clark handcuffed.
Other officers are seen arriving and beginning medical treatment to both men.
Officer Lange was treated for a knee wound requiring five stitches to close. He was released from the hospital that night.
Clark had injuries to his right foot and ankle that required emergency surgery. When released on Sunday, he was taken to the La Crosse County Jail.
He was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon, where he was charged with four misdemeanors. He was released from jail on Tuesday after signing a $1,000 signature bond.