ORANGE BEACH, AL – Police officer Gavin Kostelecky, assigned to beach patrol in Orange Beach, was injured and transported to a Pensacola hospital after he was struck on Perdido Pass Bridge driving one of the city’s “beach buggy.”

City Administrator Ken Grimes said the officer was stable and talking with other officers before he was taken by ground to Sacred Heart Hospital.

“The officer was transported to the emergency room with some injuries so we’re waiting to hear what the emergency room results tell us,” Grimes said. "He’s one of several that cover the beach for beach enforcement."

He was eastbound on the bridge when the accident happened. Beach buggies are all-terrain vehicles more similar to golf carts than to four-wheelers.

Grimes said the officer’s wife was en route the hospital.

The accident happened at about 1:45 p.m. and one side of the bridge was closed for a while and traffic was moved to one side of the bridge.

“One side of Perdido Pass Bridge was shut down for about 35 minutes,” Grimes said. “Once they got him stabilized and ready for transport we were able to move traffic through. It was backed up pretty good.”

The officer’s vehicle was knocked over on its side in the accident.