Officer Brad Hunter, his wife, Vanessa with fellow police officers at the Oceanside Police Officers Association Foundation’s blood drive in his honor. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News

OCEANSIDE–The Oceanside Police Officers Association Foundation Friday held a blood drive in honor of their fellow Officer Brad Hunter who was injured when a vehicle intentionally struck the officer during a traffic stop in Oceanside on June 19.

Community members and police officers stopped by the San Diego Blood Bank mobile at Oceanside police headquarters on Mission Avenue to donate blood.

Officer Hunter, 47, who sat in a wheelchair with an injured lower leg, spent the day meeting and talking with donors and supporters at the blood drive. His wife, Vanessa accompanied her husband to the event.

Officer Hunter, a 29-year veteran with the department, was conducting a traffic stop in Oceanside when a driver of a silver Dodge Neon entered Foussat Road and drove at the officer hitting him. The officer was injured and taken by air ambulance to Scripps Memorial Hospital.

The driver and passenger of the Neon left the scene in the vehicle and drove approximately three blocks before abandoning it.

The passenger, Roberto Ignacio Flores, 26, of San Marcos, was later arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer and felony hit and run. The driver of the vehicle has not been found.

Community members who missed the blood drive can visit any 6 San Diego Blood Bank donor center, or mobile blood drive until July 31. Use code OCPD to make the donation in Officer Hunter’s name.

Available centers:

Carmel Valley Donor Center, Suite 210, San Diego; Coastal Donor Center, 1910 Via Centre, Vista; East County Donor Center, 776 Arnele Avenue, El Cajon; Gateway Donor Center, 3636 Gateway Center Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego; North County Donor Center, 358 West El Norte Parkway, Suite J, Escondido; and Sabre Springs Donor Center, 12640 Sabre Springs Parkway, Suite 109, San Diego.

To make an appointment, visit https://www.mysdbb.org/Appointment.