Emotional Day For Injured Trooper's Colleagues

The damaged Highway Patrol car is not the only visible remains of Wednesday morning's pursuit. You could still see the emotional impact on faces by the same afternoon. 

"He was hit by the suspect's car," Captain Kevin Joffer said, taking a deep breath, while trying to maintain composure.

Chances are you have seen Trooper Andrew Steen all over Sioux Falls. He has been keeping our roads safe for the last eight years. Joffer said that was what Steen was trying to do Wednesday morning. 

Officials are still piecing together what happened in a pursuit involving the South Dakota Highway Patrol and an unnamed 25-year-old female suspect. It began at about 2:30 a.m. in the western part of Sioux Falls. 

Cathy Marshall saw part of the pursuit and said the suspect appeared to be leading the Highway Patrol on a high speed chase. 

After going through different parts of town, things got intense at 57th Street and Western Avenue at a strip mall behind Bracco's Restaurant.  According to Joffer, the suspect first hit his car. When Steen got out of his car, the suspect ran him over.

"Initially we thought he might have gone under, but it sounds like she may have struck him with the front of her vehicle," Joffer said.

Marshall was in her car and turning onto 57th Street Wednesday morning when she saw the suspect driving in her car.

"She was hauling butt," Marshall said.

Marshall believes the suspect was driving at least 90 miles per hour and swerving in and out of the lanes. Fearing she would get hit, Marshall pulled over right away.

"She was out of control. I guess she was in a hurry," Marshall said.

After Steen was hit with the suspect's car, Joffer said shots were fired by law enforcement. He did not say which department, or who fired the rounds, but the suspect was hit. 

"We saw them shoot at her and she was on the ground screaming and crying. I don't know how bad she was shot," Marshall said. 

The suspect left and was later arrested near 47th and Western and taken to the hospital. 

Steen is in critical, but stable condition. 

Authorities are still re-constructing the scene where these events took place.  The Division of Criminal Investigation and Sioux Falls police are investigating. 

No charges have been filed against the suspect at this point and Joffer would not confirm if alcohol was involved.  Businesses in the strip mall at the scene are now re-opened.