Injured CHP Officer Released After 2-Month-Long Hospital Stay

A California Highway Patrol officer with Bay Area ties who was injured after the driver of a stolen truck allegedly intentionally struck him on a Sacramento County highway back in April has been released from the hospital, CHP officials said today.

CHP Officer Mike Ericson was recently released from University of California at Davis Medical Center after a two-month-long stay and is now recovering at his home, according to the CHP.

The assault initially left Ericson in critical condition. He is currently healing and making progress, CHP officials said.

The assault happened around 1:05 p.m. on April 17 as Ericson was on his CHP motorcycle traveling on westbound Interstate Highway 80 east of Madison Avenue in unincorporated Sacramento County.

A 2001 Ford F-350 truck, being driven by a man later identified as 28-year-old Austin Scott of Reno, Nevada, struck Ericson's motorcycle before fleeing.

CHP officers then chased Scott through Solano County before taking him into custody.

Officers determined the truck he was driving had been reported stolen from Reno. Officers also noted that Scott appeared under the influence of drugs.

Officers arrested Scott on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, evading arrest, possession of a stolen vehicle and drug offenses, according to the CHP.

Ericson has worked for the CHP for 17 years and spent the last six years working in the North Sacramento area office. Prior to that, he worked in the Solano, Napa and San Francisco area offices. Additionally, Ericson is a U.S. Marine veteran, CHP officials said.

--Bay City News