Last Updated on January 10, 2017 by CCAR Staff
A Pomona Police Department motorcycle officer on his way to a fatal hit-and-run early Tuesday was critically injured in a crash with an SUV.
The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. at North Garey and Garfield avenues, just south of the 10 Freeway in Pomona, police said.
• PHOTOS: At the crash scene where Pomona motorcycle officer was hurt
The unnamed officer was traveling north on Garey Avenue on his way to the fatal crash reported on the 2200 block of the same road when the collision occurred, said California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez.
“At the same time, the Ford Explorer was traveling south on Garey (Avenue) and turned left in front of the officer,” Jimenez said.
The Pomona officer collided into the passenger side of the SUV and was tossed from his motorcycle.
“He suffered major head trauma and was taken to (Los Angeles) County-USC Medical Center,” Jiminez said.
The driver of the SUV was detained and was being interviewed by CHP investigators.
It’s not clear if the driver of the SUV, a 22-year-old Pomona man, will be arrested.
“We’re still have to see if drugs, alcohol or distracted driving may have played a part in the crash,” Jimenez said.
• VIDEO: Pomona motorcycle officer injured in crash has major head trauma
Initial information shows the motor officer did not have his lights and siren on when the collision took place, Jimenez said.
The CHP is also investigating the fatal crash further north on Garey Avenue. That accident was first reported as a hit-and-run.
In that incident, a man was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene, said Jimenez, “but he later came back and turned himself in.”
Garey Avenue was closed between Orange Grove and Jefferson avenues while the investigation continued Tuesday.
At the crash scene, the SUV remains a few feet from the officer’s toppled motorcycle.
A coroner’s van arrived at the scene but was waved away and told to go to the location further north on Garey Avenue.
