Jessica Nystrom: Florida woman sleeping on the beach is run over by cop in a pick-up truck

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.

Incident: Deputy Chad Bieacki, 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 Bieacki 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 Bieacki was patrolling the beach when he came across a group of underage drinkers and issued them notices to appear in court.

After ordering the teens to leave he drove off - but did not see Nystrom asleep on the beach.

A report into the accident said he drove forward, tued right to make a U-tu and his right front tire rolled over the right side of Nystrom’s body.

Bieacki told sheriff's investigators he felt 'a slight bump' and heard a woman curse.

He said at no time did anyone shout at him to stop or try to flag him down to let him know he was going to hit someone.

When Bieacki got out of the truck he saw two women. One was Nystrom who had a tire mark on her right shoulder.

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

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