4 Hurt as Police Car Chasing Violator Hits 2 Other Autos

A police car chasing a traffic violator collided with two cars in Pacific Palisades early Friday, injuring two officers and two civilians, one of them seriously, Los Angeles police said.

Michael Miller, 27, of Malibu was the most seriously injured in the three-car smashup in the 15100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, hospital officials said.

He was reported in serious condition at UCLA Medical Center. Police said he suffered head injuries and multiple broken bones.

Two officers injured in the accident--Paul Kenary, 36, and Leonard Clark, 21--were in good condition at UCLA Medical Center, and a fourth victim, Derek Bryson, 24, of Malibu, was in fair condition, police said.

Four other people suffered minor injuries and were treated and released at Santa Monica Hospital, a Fire Deparment spokesman said.

Lt. Rob Watters said the officers were driving north on the highway, trailing a traffic violator shortly before 2 a.m., when another car cut in front of the police car, which was not using red lights or a siren.

The patrol car hit a car pulling out of a parking lot and struck a parked car, Watters said. Witnesses told investigators the vehicle that cut off the police car left the scene without stopping.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed to traffic in both directions for about four hours.