Series of Crashes Leaves Officer Critically Hurt
A suspected drunk driver contributed to a chain of crashes Saturday night on the Antelope Valley Freeway that injured several people, including an off-duty LAPD officer who had stopped to help, authorities said.
About 11:35 p.m., the off-duty officer pulled over in his patrol car to assist a 43-year-old Redondo Beach man whose car had struck a concrete divider on the freeway south of San Fernando Road, the California Highway Patrol said.
A 34-year-old Tehachapi man failed to notice the accident and hit the patrol car and three other vehicles. The officer, who was not identified, suffered critical injuries and was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. Six other people suffered less severe injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that initially spun out of control was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injuries. His name was not released.
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