Two teens, believed to be stargazing, run over in a parking lot by MS Coast officer

A Bay St. Louis police officer on patrol early Wednesday struck two teenagers who were apparently stargazing in a parking lot, authorities said in a news release.

The teenagers, aged 18 and 16, have since been treated at hospitals and released, police said. An ambulance rushed the 16-year-old to Gulfport Memorial Hospital so she could be treated for hip and leg injuries, the Bay St. Louis Police Department said. The 18-year-old drove in a private vehicle to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

The officer was driving a routine patrol check just before 1 a.m. Wednesday in the Washington Street Pier parking lot on Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis police said.

Police said the officer turned left into an unlit area. The officer did not see two people lying on the ground, police said. Authorities said the 18-year-old and 16-year-old were “reportedly watching the sky and stars.”

Police said they drove to the area with other people, who were in another vehicle.

The officer was not hurt, police said.

Waveland Police Department officers and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Bay St. Louis Police Department, authorities said.

Waveland Police are investigating the incident.