Police Officer Hit, Injured by Car at Scene of Accident

A 77-year-old man, just involved in a traffic collision with a truck, lost control of his car Saturday morning as he prepared to leave the scene, hitting the truck again and then striking the police officer who was filling out the accident report.

The bizarre incident happened just after 8 a.m. near Golden West Street and Valentine Drive.

Gail James Ellerbe of Huntington Beach turned his 1990 Cadillac onto Golden West Street and collided with a 1990 Toyota truck. Officers were called to the scene of the accident, which caused major damage to both vehicles as well as a telephone pole and city and bus signs, police said.

Ellerbe, cleared to leave the accident scene by Officer Tim Chambers, apparently lost control of his car.

“Mr. Ellerbe started his Cadillac and attempted to pull around the Toyota, but he collided with it again,” Lt. Jon Arnold said. “After making contact with the Toyota pickup, Mr. Ellerbe continued forward and struck the officer with the right fender of his Cadillac, throwing the officer over the hood.”

Chambers, a nine-year veteran of the Police Department, was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach with shoulder, neck and knee injuries. He was treated and released from the hospital on crutches, Arnold said.

Ellerbe was not injured. His car was towed from the scene, and he was taken home by a friend. It had not been determined Saturday whether he would face charges.

Because the incident involved a Huntington Beach police officer, the investigation was turned over to the California Highway Patrol, Arnold said.