Driver Held After Officer Rammed
A truck driver who allegedly rammed a Burbank motorcycle officer to escape a traffic ticket, and possible arrest on other charges, was taken into custody Friday on suspicion of attempted murder.
The officer, Chris Topolovich, 47, was treated at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank for back and neck injuries and released Friday in fair condition, authorities said.
Topolovich stopped Mario Andrade, 22, of Los Angeles for speeding in the 2700 block of San Fernando Road on Friday. Before Topolovich could get off his bike, Andrade shifted his truck into reverse and “intentionally rammed the motorcycle,” Burbank Police Lt. Larry Koch said.
Andrade was spotted by other officers as he tried to escape the scene in reverse and a brief high-speed chase ensued on city streets and the Golden State Freeway, Koch said. Andrade crashed as he left the freeway on Verdugo Road. He ran from officers and threw away what appeared to be drugs, Koch said.
“We recovered a white powdery substance and there is an ongoing investigation,” Koch said.
Andrade was booked on suspicion of attempted murder at Burbank City Jail and no bail was set because he is on parole, Koch said. Other felony charges are expected to be filed, he said.
Andrade will be arraigned in Burbank Municipal Court on Monday.
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