An Albemarle police officer remains inactive and under observation after he recovers from a medical event that caused him to crash his cruiser while on duty.

Michael Couick, 45, crashed his 2016 Ford cruiser on the morning of Nov. 1 while on patrol behind Rosebriar Restaurant. He was driving on a gravel driveway near Carolina Avenue when a medical situation caused Couick to accelerate and crash his patrol car into a woodpile and pole, according to Maj. Jesse Huneycutt, assistant police chief.

Couick was taken to Carolinas Healthcare System – Stanly where he was kept overnight for treatment and released the following day, Huneycutt said.

The officer has yet to return to work, pending observation. Couick is expected to recover and return to work.

Couick has been with Albemarle police since 2014.

The cruiser sustained extensive damage.