Skateboarder: Cop Tried to Run Me Over

The police chief at Texas Tech denies trying to run down a skateboarder who allegedly rolled the wrong way in traffic.

Chief Ron Seacrist on Wednesday told The Associated Press that his unmarked police SUV never came in contact with 22-year-old Ryan Madrid.

Seacrist says Madrid, who claims the chief intentionally swerved to try to hit him, was violating traffic rules that ban skateboarding on streets. The police chief said he identified himself and told Madrid to get the skateboard off the campus street.

Seacrist says Madrid fell on Monday as the police chief maneuvered his vehicle, assuming Madrid would go to the right, but instead the student went the other way. Madrid was not injured.

Seacrist, who did not ticket the student, says he was trying to keep Madrid from getting hit by other vehicles.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)