Deputy Critically Injured

An Orange County sheriff’s deputy described by colleagues as a hard-working family man lay in critical condition Monday after an elderly motorist drove through a red light in Aliso Viejo and broadsided his motorcycle, sending him hurtling more than 60 feet through the air.

Deputy Steve Edward Parsons, the father of two small children and a 10-year department veteran, suffered serious brain trauma and an array of broken bones in the 10:18 a.m. crash, officials said.

“It was very bad. He flew like a little doll,” said Tina Darrigo, a witness.

The 36-year-old deputy’s wife and his mother waited anxiously as surgeons discussed when to induce a coma that will last up to two weeks in an effort to reduce pressure on his brain and bring down swelling.

The crash marked the third serious accident involving South County motorcycle deputies in the last six months, and comes as some motorist organizations call for greater scrutiny of older drivers.

The collision occurred as Parsons drove eastbound on Laguna Hills Drive and crossed Moulton Parkway just as Sylvia Steinhardt, 77, drove south through a red light.

The traffic signal had been red for some time, according to Darrigo, who was stopped at the light on Moulton when--to her horror--the 1988 Oldsmobile rushed past at about 50 mph and struck the deputy.

Steinhardt, of Laguna Hills, did not try to brake and hit Parsons while traveling at full speed, sheriff’s officials said. Steinhardt, who has a clean driving record according to DMV officials, was not arrested or cited as investigators continued probing the cause of the accident.

Following the crash, investigators from the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s Department combed through the crash debris, which was strewn hundreds of feet from the accident. Many of the deputies appeared shaken as they marked off the scene.

“This is a close-knit group of guys,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Ted Boyne after comforting one deputy.

Parsons’ handcuffs sat in a chalk circle. The blue sedan had come to rest on the center divider of Moulton 100 feet from the crash, the vehicle’s front buckled. Fifty feet farther south, Parsons’ motorcycle lay bent out of shape, his jacket nearby.

Colleagues, including other motorcycle officers, gathered at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in a show of support for Parsons, who was the first motorcycle officer stationed in Laguna Hills.

“He’s a great guy, a good family man, hard-working, and very sincere about his work,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Rex Hatch, who oversees operations in Laguna Hills. He’s committed “to doing the best at what he does. We’re just praying that he comes out of it all right.”

Earlier in the day, Sheriff Mike Carona broke away early from a breakfast with Gov. Gray Davis to visit Parsons’ bedside.

“We’re grateful that he’s in good hands,” Carona said, noting that the tragic accident followed the first year anniversary of the slaying of Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Riches. “I don’t want to lose another deputy.”

The dangers of working as a motorcycle cop are well enough known to warrant special training and extra pay to compensate for the hazards. But Parsons’ crash marks the latest in a freak series that began six months ago.

The first occurred when a motorcycle deputy traveling through San Juan Capistrano struck a car that swung out of a parking lot and illegally crossed lanes of traffic in front of him, Sheriff’s Sgt. John Salverson said. The deputy suffered broken bones and has not returned to work.

About a month later, another deputy lost control of his motorcycle after striking an unknown object on a freeway exit in Mission Viejo, Salverson said. The deputy broke a leg and is still recovering.

Little could have been done to prevent any of the collisions. But sheriff’s officials said they will raise awareness of the dangers on the road during briefings.

“They do face a lot of danger out there. They’re quite exposed,” Salverson said.

Investigators declined to rule out whether the age of the motorist might have played a factor in the accident. Pressure for lawmakers to crack down on elderly drivers built two years ago after a 96-year-old driver fatally struck a teenager on a Santa Monica crosswalk.

The accident prompted state Sen. Tom Hayden to introduce a bill that would have mandated vision and written tests for drivers older than 75. But Hayden removed the age requirement in the face of stiff opposition.