Local : CHP Officer Suffers Broken Ankle as He Pursues Suspect on Foot

A California Highway Patrol officer suffered a broken ankle this morning when a patrol car rolled over him as he leaped out of to pursue a fleeing motorist in Studio City, authorities said.

Officer Ron Gleason was reported in good condition at AMI Medical Center of North Hollywood. He was injured about 2:30 a.m. after a short car chase with a suspected reckless driver. Gary H. White, 36, of Studio City was later arrested on suspicion of evading a police officer and reckless driving.

The CHP reported that Gleason and two other officers were standing on Laurel Canyon Boulevard near the Ventura Freeway where they had stopped a motorist for a traffic violation when they saw a car driven by White speed recklessly off the freeway. The officers chased the auto for about a mile at speeds up to 70 m.p.h. The CHP said the speeding car pulled into a driveway in the 4400 block of Laurel Grove Avenue and the driver got out and ran.

Gleason jumped out of the back door of the CHP vehicle while it was still rolling and the rear wheel ran over his leg, snapping his ankle, CHP officials said. While the two other officers aided Gleason, the motorist escaped.

After a search aided by a helicopter and a police dog, White was arrested about 4 a.m.