Injured officer speaks to family

A Denver police officer hit by a car earlier this month spoke to his family for the first time on Christmas Eve, according to KDVR.

John Adsit was hit by the car Dec. 3rd during a student protest.

“John’s 10th surgery today went well,” the family said in a statement Wednesday. “The medical staff was able to put a special value in his tracheotomy, and John was able to speak to his family. Praise the Lord! It was the best Christmas present ever! Merry Christmas Eve!”

Adsit was one of four struck by a Mercedes at East Colfax Avenue and High Street. He and other officers were monitoringEast High School students protesting police-involved deaths of unarmed black men in New York and Ferguson, Mo.

Police say the driver of the Mercedes suffered from a medical condition and did not intend to hit the officers.