Sunbather, 21, seriously injured after she is run over by a COP in pick-up truck as she slept on beach

By Paul Thompson

A 21-year-old woman who was sleeping on a beach is recovering after being run over by a police patrol car around 6pm on Tuesday night.

Jessica Nystrom was left with tire marks across her body and was rushed to the hospital in a serious condition.

The police officer who ran over her in his pick-up truck said he felt a 'slight bump' and heard a woman swear.

Accident: Jessica Nystrom, 21, was sleeping on a beach is recovering after being run over by a police patrol car around 6pm on Tuesday night

Incident: Deputy Chad Biernacki, who ran over her in his pick-up truck, said he felt a 'slight bump' and heard a woman swear

Florida Highway Patrol investigators found Deputy Chad Biernacki was at fault in the accident on Miramar Beach, near Panama City.

The 30-year-old could face disciplinary action for the accident.

Officials said Biernacki was patrolling the beach when he came across a group of underage drinkers and issued them notices to appear in court.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, she had been asleep on the beach for more than 20 minutes and did not wake up until the truck hit her.

Police said she had not been drinking.

Nystrom of Destin,Florida, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital but later released after treatment.

Sheriff's spokesman Maj. A.J. Smith said he had never heard of a similar incident in his 15 years with the Walton County force.

He said: 'You can never train too much when you are dealing with high-liability areas like operating a vehicle, especially when it is in crowded and congested areas like the beach.'

He said deputies must be on the beach to ensure the public’s safety and reduce crime.

'It’s necessary to be there but we certainly don't want to put anybody at risk, so we are going to do everything we can to make sure that this does not happen again.'

Victim: According to the Sheriff’s Office, Jessica Nystrom had been asleep on the beach for more than 20 minutes and did not wake up until the truck hit her