3 CHP officers hurt in fiery wreck on 105 freeway in Downey
Three California Highway Patrol officers were injured when their patrol SUV caught fire following a collision on the 105 freeway in Downey early Thursday morning, shutting down a portion of the freeway for more than seven hours.
The crash occurred on the eastbound 105 freeway near Lakewood Boulevard a little before 1:30 a.m.
CBSLA learned that the CHP patrol SUV was rear-ended while it was stopped in a lane of the freeway in an effort to keep traffic away from a previous crash which had occurred about one hour prior.
"CHP had the lane closed with flares out, the driver applied no brakes and went straight into the CHP car, all four wheels off the ground," witness Robert Martinez said. "That car flipped, CHP stood on the ground. And shortly after is when the CHP car went up in flames."
Footage from the scene showed flames and smoke billowing from the CHP vehicle. Nearby drivers rushed to help.
A male officer standing outside the patrol vehicle when it was struck suffered major injuries, but is expected to survive.
"He was outside the vehicle when he got hit," witness Dylan said. "He was bleeding from the back of his head, large head contusions, broken legs. We went over and helped him out as much as we could."
Good Samaritans helped a male and female officer who were in the vehicle get out before it caught fire. They suffered moderate injuries.
All three officers were taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood. Two of the injured offers were transported by ambulances and the third was taken to the hospital by fellow CHP officers before Downey Fire Department paramedics got to the scene.
"Anytime something like this happens we are very relieved to know that the three officers will recover from this," said Officer Kevin Tao.
No names were immediately released.
The 41-year-old woman behind the wheel of the car which rear-ended the CHP patrol SUV was detained at the scene. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants. She has since been released on bond.
A Sig Alert was issued and all eastbound lanes of the 105 freeway were shut down at the 710 freeway, backing up rush-hour traffic for miles. The freeway was fully reopened a little after 9 a.m.