An Adelaide teenager remains in hospital with broken bones after a police car crashed into his motorbike during a routine traffic stop in what a senior officer has described as "just a terrible accident".
Police are investigating the incident at suburban Parafield Gardens on Sunday night, which did not involve a pursuit but followed reports of two motorcyclists speeding in the area.
Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti would not comment on suggestions the officer hit the accelerator in his patrol car by mistake.
He said it remained possible he would face charges.
"But from what I understand, it was just a terrible accident," Supt Fioravanti told reporters on Monday.
"There nothing deliberate, it was just one of those terrible accidents.
"There is nothing to suggest anything inappropriate or unprofessional has occurred here."
A friend of the injured 16-year-old said they were riding together when a patrol officer pulled them over and appeared to accidentally press the accelerator in his car.
"The cop car just went straight over the top of him, just full acceleration, taking him onto the curb," Brodie Mewett-Sweet told ABC radio.
He said his friend was lying on the floor, "just in pain obviously", as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.
"I was in shock and I was a little bit pissed off, and you know, yeah, I wasn't happy," he said.
The hurt Paralowie boy was treated at the scene and taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for serious but not life-threatening injuries, including a broken leg and cracked pelvis.
He remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The officer driving the police car was not injured and both the motorbike and vehicle were towed from the scene.
Supt Fioravanti said the officer was "travelling quite well" despite the stress of the incident and was expected to return to patrols, on schedule, in a few days.
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