Police say alleged hit-and-run officer will not be protected

Police authorities in Zaozhuang city, Shandong province said on Saturday that they will not cover for a local policeman who has been detained in an alleged hit-and-run case. 

The police officer, identified as being from the Shizhong district public security division of the city, crashed a police car into a white mini-van at about 2 pm Friday. 

Eight people in the passenger car were injured. Four people including a child remain hospitalized and are receiving treatment.

Witnesses alleged the driver of the police car smelled of alcohol, according to a report in the local newspaper Qilu Evening News.

Wang Gong'an, driver of the mini-van told the newspaper that when he crawled out from the van, there was no one in the police car and he saw a man running away. 

The Shizhong district public security division said police authorities in the city are investigating the case and it will not cover for the police officer or shun its responsibility.