NORTHRIDGE : Officer Hurt After Stopping Motorist

A Los Angeles police officer who had pulled over a suspected drunk driver in Northridge was slightly injured early Friday when another suspected drunk driver crashed into his motorcycle, authorities said. A second accident occurred when a motorist who stopped his car to aid the officer was struck from behind.

Officer Robert Robinson said the accidents occurred about 12:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Roscoe Boulevard, near Zelzah Avenue, after motorcycle Officers Larry Farren and Willie Sampson signaled a suspected drunk driver to the side of the road.

The motorcycles had emergency lights flashing and the officers parked behind the suspect’s car in the parking lane, Robinson said. Farren was forced to jump from his motorcycle as a car drove up from behind and crashed into both cycles. Farren, who had already dismounted, was not hit.

Farren suffered slight bruises and was treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and released.

Robinson said the driver of the car that hit the motorcycles was Adolfo Rueda, 25, of Canoga Park, who pulled over after the accident. He was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police said.

Another motorist, Sylvio Soto, saw the accident and parked behind the accident scene to protect the fallen officer, Robinson said. His car was then rear-ended by another car.

“He was trying to be a good Samaritan and then he got nailed,” Robinson said.

Neither Soto nor the other driver, whose name was not available, was injured.