Officer badly hurt in peace ride crash

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PHILADELPHIA, June 9 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia police officer was critically injured Friday while he was participating in a motorcycle peace ride.

The 28-year-old officer was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. His name was not released, but police said he had been with the department for four years.

He was off-duty and taking part in a ride aimed at restoring peace in some of the violent neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. Richard Dukes, one of the organizers, said the officer was heading to a gas station when he collided with a car making a turn.

Kimberly Hill, another organizer, said the officer appeared lifeless when she first got to the crash site with no pulse. But she said he suddenly started breathing, although he remained unconscious.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey was at the hospital with other officers and participants in the peace ride.

"We're all praying for him," Ramsey said.