2 LAPD officers injured in suspected DUI crash on 57 Freeway after chase
FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- Two LAPD officers were injured in a crash involving a DUI suspect on the 57 Freeway in Fullerton following a chase, prompting the closure most northbound lanes Tuesday morning.
The crash happened near the Yorba Linda Boulevard exit around 2 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol traffic log.
During a morning press conference, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said it all started with the pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle in the department's Newton Division. The chase eventually made its way onto the 57 Freeway in Orange County and ended on Atlantic Avenue in Lynwood.
"During the course of that pursuit, it was believed that the suspect inside the vehicle had thrown an object from it," Moore said, who added that the chase suspect was later arrested. The suspect, 31-year-old Jose Alinado of Compton, was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, police said.
The officers went back along the path of the chase in an attempt to find whatever was thrown from the suspect's vehicle. As they were driving on the freeway, they were "violently struck" by another driver, Moore said.
The woman driving the Infiniti that struck the officers was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. She was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries, according to CHP Lt. Matthew Barnachia.
The officers suffered significant injuries and were taken to UCI Medical Center. They are expected to make a full recovery.
"Both of them are talking. They're both conscious," Moore said. "In the initial moments (after) the collision, the driving officer... he's actually a training officer, lost consciousness and we had some significant concerns."
The CHP issued a SigAlert for the northbound 57 Freeway and Yorba Linda Boulevard and closed all lanes of the freeway for hours while an investigation was conducted into the crash.
City News Service contributed to this report.
