San Juan Bautista
– A Watsonville police officer was seriously injured after being
flung from his motorcycle while chasing a speeding big-rig on
Highway 156 near the Mission City Tuesday afternoon.
San Juan Bautista – A Watsonville police officer was seriously injured after being flung from his motorcycle while chasing a speeding big-rig on Highway 156 near the Mission City Tuesday afternoon.
The officer, who has not been identified, had been attempting to pull over the white truck when he lost control of his motorcycle shortly before 5pm, said California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Ramirez. The officer told Ramirez that the truck had been traveling at speeds greater than 75mph. Witnesses said the truck had braked suddenly to avoid slower traffic ahead, Ramirez said. While trying to avoid rear-ending the truck, the officer lost control of the patrol bike and was flung to the side of the highway, Ramirez said. His motorcycle continued on, eventually hitting the center divider. No one else was injured in the accident and the big-rig was never stopped.
The officer was taken by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Hospital in Hollister with major injuries, Ramirez said.
“He had broken bones, lacerations and road rash,” he said.
He was later flown by emergency helicopter to a San Jose area hospital, Ramirez said.
Ramirez said CHP officials would not seek criminal charges against the truck driver, who “probably didn’t know what happened.”
Brett Rowland covers public safety for Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
