Officer on Way to an Accident Has an Accident

Three people suffered minor injuries when a California Highway Patrol officer en route to a car accident sped through a red light in Laguna Hills and broadsided a car whose driver apparently did not notice the patrol car’s flashing lights and siren, authorities said Tuesday.

The officer, Speros Doumas, 23, suffered minor back and neck pain after the Monday afternoon collision and was treated and released from Mission Community Hospital in Mission Viejo, a CHP spokesman said.

The driver of the other car, Brian Post, and a passenger, Martin Krokum, both 27-year-old Mission Viejo residents, each sustained what CHP Officer Jerry Graul described as “a minor bump to the forehead.” Graul said both refused treatment at the scene.

According to Graul, Doumas was en route to an accident in Laguna Hills about 1 p.m. With flashing lights and siren on, he approached a red light at the intersection of Alicia Parkway and the southbound Interstate 5 off-ramp, checked for cross traffic and then proceeded, Graul said.

As he entered the intersection, however, the officer saw Post’s vehicle approaching from the off-ramp.

“(Post) apparently did not hear or see the red light and siren,” Graul said. “Both braked. The patrol car broadsided (Post’s) car in the intersection.” Graul said there was moderate damage to the patrol car and minor to moderate damage to Post’s car.