LAPD Motorcycle Officer Hurt While Assisting at Crash Scene Outside Downtown Disney

[kronos]

ANAHEIM, June 16, 2006 - An off-duty Los Angeles police motorcycle officer who was turning around at the scene of a deadly motorcycle accident near Disneyland was struck by a sport utility vehicle and badly injured Friday morning.
The officer was on his way to work with the West Traffic Division when he came across the scene of a deadly motorcycle wreck on Disneyland Drive just north of Magic Way about 2:30 a.m., said Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez.

The officer was making a u-turn at the intersection to check the accident out when he was struck by the SUV. The SUV then hit a traffic signal and went over the curb. The officer, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center in extremely critical condition. The name of man killed in the first motorcycle accident was unavailable. Martinez said the motorcycle went off the road on a curve and hit a bridge abutment.

Parts of Disneyland Drive and Magic Way remain closed around the intersection while officers continue to investigate the scene.

Courtesy of ABC 7 in LA. Thought this may serve as a precaution if you are planning to go to DTD or through Disneyland Drive. They are completely shut down in both directions. And also pray for the officer who was injured.

[migo]

Geez. Sounds like drunk driver time all around!

[Alchimedes]

I hope the officer comes out of this soon. At first when I saw the title I thought it was a hit-and-run while he had someone pulled over. Speedy recovery to this officer.

[Hyperbole]

Speedy recovery to this officer.

Ditto on that TicToc... I hate storys like this where officers are hurt while doing their job. Definitely sounds like a drunk driver.

[Max Fischer]

Best wishes to the motor officer and all members of the LE community.

I am afraid you guys are probaly right, the driver was probably impaired. What a shame.

We recently lost a motor officer in Gilbert, AZ when he was driving from home to a DUI task force, he was struck and killed by two underage drunk drivers.Motor officers almost always are assigned their bikes, which they take home every night and commute to and from work. The moment they get on that bike, they are on duty, looking our for us.

The LA officer would have never been hurt if he just drove past that scene and did his own thing. That is just terrible.

Prayers and thoughts to the officer, his/her squad mates and family.

[nish221]

That's really horrible.... Prayers and thoughts to the officer, all of LAPD and
family.

[pineapplewhipaddict]

Prayers sent to all those hurt.

Uhg, stupid drivers.

[Darkbeer]

It doesn't look like alcohol was involved, in fact, it might have been the officer's fault.....

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...le_1183582.php

A 35-year-old Anaheim man is dead and a Los Angeles police officer is critically injured after two related motorcycle accidents near Disneyland early today.
Arthur Vargas Jr. was killed in an accident that took place at about 2 a.m. on Disneyland Drive just north of Magic Way, according to the Orange County coroner's office. He hit a wall along the northbound lanes of the roadway, likely because he was going too fast, said Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez.
Los Angeles Police Department police officer Mike Toth, 45, was headed to work on a police motorcycle from his Garden Grove home at about 4:30 a.m. when he came upon the northbound lanes of Disneyland Drive, which were closed for the death investigation. The road leads to the northbound Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway.
The officer made a U-turn and was hit by a GMC Envoy SUV coming southbound. The officer may not have realized that the southbound lanes were open, and there is a curve in the road and shrubs that may have blocked the view of the officer and the woman driving the SUV, Martinez said.
The SUV hit the motorcycle and then a traffic signal. The woman driving the SUV was taken to a local hospital complaining of pain in her neck.
Toth, who is married and has two sons, has been on the Los Angeles force for nine years and is assigned to the West Traffic Division. He was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he is reported to be in critical condition, Martinez said.

[Max Fischer]

Not buying it. Not that the press ever gets things wrong, of course, but my money is on a 45 year old motor officer that has more the likely been on motors for quite a while. Either way, speedy recovery for all involved.

[speederscout]

My gosh... I hate these stories; breaks my heart. Tragic for everyone involved.

Sincere and heartfelt prayers that the Lord will watch over this guy's injuries.

[Darkbeer]

Well, as the news article stated, his vision might have been blocked, I have seen plenty of police officers run red lights without having their lights/sirens running. It was 4:30 AM, and he either thought the southbound lanes were closed, or didn't see the SUV until it was too late.

I think the fact that the SUV driver was not arrested or cited is a major point, if she was drinking, she would have been booked and then taken to the hospital.

[Pacha]

Thoughts and prayers are with the injured officer.

[travelmom]

I agree with Darkbeer.
Although well intentioned, making a U-turn there was risky. It doesn't sound like the SUV driver would have any warning of what happened, and you certainly wouldn't expect it that time of morning.
I have seen officers put themselves and others at risk with bad decisions as well. they are only human, and sometimes break the rules!

[evil mommie]

Shoot. He was trying to do the right thing. I hope that he recovers soon.

[RobotMirror]

Yes, why do people assume alcohol is involved ... is it just based on the time of night/morning? Accidents happen 24 hours of every day, most of them without any alcohol involvement!