Off-duty officer badly injured in car-motorcycle crash

"We're all praying for him," Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey said at the hospital.

Merke, who has four years on the job, was supposed to participate in a motorcycle ride Friday night for peace in crime-ridden parts of North Philadelphia. Dozens of fellow bikers gathered outside the hospital to show support for the officer.

Richard Dukes, an organizer of the peace ride, said Merke was going to Broad and Thompson Streets to get gas when the accident occurred. It was not clear if he was wearing a helmet.

Kimberly Hill, another ride organizer, said she rushed to the injured officer's side.

"He was unconscious at the time. He had no pulse," she said.

Suddenly Merke began to breathe and show signs of life, she said, though he never fully regained consciousness.

Hill and Dukes said Merke suffered bleeding in the brain and was placed in a medically induced coma. He also suffered a broken femur, they said.

Contact Robert Moran at 215-854-5983 or bmoran@phillynews.com, or follow @RobertMoran215 on Twitter.