Off-Duty Officer Jailed in Alleged Drunk Driving
A 19-year-old man suffered serious burns when an off-duty police officer who was allegedly driving while drunk crashed into his disabled car on the Golden State Freeway, causing both cars to catch fire, the California Highway Patrol said.
James Reyes, a Los Angeles Police Department officer in the North Hollywood Division for 10 years, was arrested on suspicion for felony drunk driving, said CHP Officer Bill Preciado.
Reyes was driving a Chevy Camaro north on the Golden State Freeway near Arleta about 3 a.m. Thursday, Preciado said. The disabled car was stopped with its hazard lights on in the second lane, according to the CHP. Reyes’ car struck it at 3:18 a.m., according to Preciado.
The victim, whose name was not released, suffered second- and third-degree burns on 75% of his body, Preciado said. He was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and later transferred to the USC Burn Center, which would not release information on his condition.
Reyes had minor injuries, Preciado said.
The LAPD will conduct an internal investigation of the accident, said Officer Mark Partain, a department spokesman.
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