Four Officers Injured after Patrol Cars Collide

Four Los Angeles police officers received treatment at a hospital this morning after their patrol cars collided while they responded to a call for backup, authorities said.

The crash at 232 E. 11th St. in downtown Los Angeles took place about 12:20 a.m., said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

“The officers were responding to a backup call for a foot pursuit of a suspect,” LAPD Sgt. Leonard Ramirez said. “The suspect was wanted for felony vandalism and he was later captured and is being booked on that charge.”

Ramirez said it remained unclear as dawn approached just how the collision occurred, in part because the officers could not be interviewed while being treated. He said there was a “probability” that the cars did have lights and sirens on when the collision occurred.

“But we don’t know that yet for sure,” he said.

All four officers were transported to L.A. County-USC Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, according to authorities. Three of the four were soon released, he said.

“They suffered minor injuries, bumps and bruises and are out of the hospital now,” he said. “The fourth officer was being admitted for observation because of a head injury.”

Ramirez said three of the officers were experienced and one of them was a probationary officer.

City News Service