Full Breakdown
Pocatello Officer Cited After Hitting Pedestrian with Patrol Car
12/5/2025, 9:52:08 PM
Incident Overview
On Thursday afternoon, a police officer in Pocatello, Idaho, was involved in a collision with a pedestrian at the intersection of North 5th Avenue and East Sublette Street around 1:45 p.m. According to a statement from the City of Pocatello, security camera footage captured the moment when the pedestrian entered the intersection, and the patrol vehicle failed to yield, resulting in the pedestrian being struck. The individual reportedly rolled under the vehicle as it continued forward before coming to a stop.
Injuries and Immediate Response
The pedestrian, whose identity has not been disclosed, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, although the exact nature of these injuries remains unclear. City spokeswoman Marlise Irby-Facer confirmed the officer involved has also not been identified and has been cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian. Irby-Facer expressed relief that the injuries were not life-threatening and conveyed the city's support for the ongoing independent investigation by the Idaho State Police.
Eyewitness Account
Levi Paz, an employee at a nearby business, witnessed the incident and described the moment of impact, stating, “You could physically hear his head hit the pavement.” He reflected on the human aspect of the situation, emphasizing the personal connections people have to the victim: “(The pedestrian is) someone’s brother, someone’s dad, someone’s someone. So it’s just hard, being a human, to watch anybody get hurt. You don’t wish for that on anyone.”
Official Statements
Marlise Irby-Facer stated, “We are thankful the pedestrian’s injuries are not life-threatening, and our thoughts are with them.” She also confirmed the city’s full support for the Idaho State Police's independent investigation into the incident.
Criticism & Opposition
While the incident has drawn attention, there has been no formal public criticism directed at the police department as of yet. However, the nature of the incident raises questions about pedestrian safety and police conduct in traffic situations.
What's Next
The Idaho State Police will continue their investigation into the incident, which may lead to further findings regarding pedestrian safety protocols and police training in similar scenarios. The outcome of this investigation could influence future policies regarding officer conduct in traffic situations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You could physically hear his head hit the pavement,” — Levi Paz, Eyewitness
- “We are thankful the pedestrian’s injuries are not life-threatening, and our thoughts are with them.” — Marlise Irby-Facer, City Spokeswoman
