CHP Officer Injured In Highway 156 Crash

SOUTH BAY, CA — A California Highway Patrol officer with the Hollister-Gilroy division was hospitalized with minor injuries Wednesday after his patrol car was struck by another vehicle, causing it to overturn in unincorporated San Benito County, according to the CHP. The 38-year-old officer was pulling away from the right shoulder of northbound San Felipe Road just south of state Highway 156, near the border with Santa Clara County, around 5:40 p.m. to conduct a traffic stop, the CHP said.

The officer had pulled over a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer for speeding.

At the same time, a 2016 Honda Civic heading south on San Felipe Road crossed over the solid double yellow lines and entered the northbound lane directly into the Chevy's path, at which point the Civic spun out and
struck the left side of the officer's patrol car, CHP said.

The patrol car flipped on the right shoulder of northbound San Felipe Road, causing the officer minor injuries. He was transported to St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, according to the CHP.

CHP does not believe that alcohol was a factor in the collision.

By Bay City News Service

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone