CHP Officer Wounds Man in Freeway Clash

A California Highway Patrol officer wounded a man who attacked him on the San Gabriel River Freeway near Washington Boulevard Thursday morning, causing delays to late-morning commuters and forcing authorities to close a portion of the freeway.

Raymond Michel, 29, of Whittier was taken to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital with a bullet wound in his left knee after the 10:09 a.m. shooting, a CHP spokesman said. CHP Officer Art Terrazas was not hurt.

As authorities began investigating the scene, traffic backed up 3 1/2 miles, forcing authorities to close southbound lanes and divert traffic as far north as the Pomona Freeway.

Terrazas arrived at the scene after hearing reports that a man was walking along the freeway’s northbound carpool lane, a CHP spokesman said. As Terrazas got off his motorcycle, Michel leaped over the center divider and began pounding on the officer’s motorcycle with his fists, authorities said.

Terrazas backed away into oncoming traffic. Michel ran toward the officer and began attacking him with a metal weapon, authorities said. Terrazas drew his weapon and shot Michel.