CHP officer injured after being hit by SUV

GLENDALE — A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer suffered several broken bones after he was hit by an 80-year-old Tujunga motorist while helping a disabled vehicle on the Ventura (134) and Glendale (2) freeway interchange, officials said.

Officer J.D. Fields’ left femur and wrist were broken during the collision, station spokesman Officer Ming-Yang Hsu said. Fields was being treated at Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was undergoing X-rays.

“We are thankful nothing more serious happened,” Hsu said.

CHP officials shut down the interchange shortly after 2 p.m. for roughly two hours as they investigated the crash.

Fields, 59, of Simi Valley, was traveling in the second lane on the eastbound 134 Freeway to the northbound 2 Freeway transition when he saw a disabled vehicle at a complete stop in the first lane, Hsu said.

He activated his lights and transitioned into the first lane, traveling about 10 mph to clear a path for the vehicle, Hsu said.

At some point, Celia Fitzgerald, who was driving a Nissan Murano SUV, approached, swerved and hit the back of the motorcycle, Hsu said.

The motorist appeared to be traveling at least 40 mph, Hsu said.

Fields is the most senior of his crew working out of the Altadena station. He was set to retire in a month, Hsu added.