Local News in Brief : 2 Officers Hurt in Hit-Run Accidents; 1 Driver Arrested, Police Seek Second

Awoman was arrested and another motorist was being sought in connection with separate hit-and-run accidents Saturday night in which two law enforcement officers were injured slightly, authorities said Sunday.

Loretta Barber, 34, of San Fernando, was arrested shortly after her car struck the rear of a California Highway Patrol car parked on the right shoulder of the San Diego Freeway north of Burbank Boulevard, CHP Sgt. Richard Barton said. The patrol car in turn struck Officer Tom Nickell, who had been conducting a traffic stop, he said.

Nickell was knocked unconscious and was cut and bruised after tumbling down a 30-foot embankment, Barton said. He was released Sunday morning from Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Barber continued north on the freeway but was arrested about half a mile from the accident after her damaged car’s engine failed, Barton said. She was being held at Van Nuys jail in lieu of $2,500 bond on suspicion of felony drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident, authorities said.

In another accident, Los Angeles Police Officer Gerald Williams was struck while chasing a drunk-driving suspect on foot near Van Nuys Boulevard and Remick Avenue, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Ken Dionne said.

Before Williams’ partner caught the suspect, Williams was struck from behind by a driver who left the scene in a yellow late-model Ford Pinto, Dionne said.

Williams was treated at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills and released.