Police Car Hits Pole, Injuring 4 S.D. Officers

Four San Diego undercover narcotics officers were injured, one seriously, when the car in which they were riding hit a utility pole at 13th and L streets Friday night.

Detective Jesse Almos, who was driving, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he was in serious condition late Friday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Officer James Boyd, 28, also was taken to the UCSD hospital, where he was treated in the emergency room, the spokeswoman said. She said he was in good condition and probably would not be admitted to the hospital.

Two officers were taken to Physician’s and Surgeon’s Hospital, where they were treated for injuries that were not serious, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Their identities were not released.

The unmarked police car was traveling east on L Street at 8:49 p.m. when it started skidding just beyond 12th Avenue, did a 180-degree turn and hit a utility pole on the southwest corner, said Rick Carlson, a police spokesman. The head-on impact split the car nearly halfway through.

Police blocked off 13th and 14th streets between K Street and Imperial Avenue and said the streets would remain blocked for at least three hours.

Witnesses said the officers apparently were chasing another car and lost control of their car, but police would not confirm that.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.