A Corrections officer was injured and airlifted to a hospital Thursday night after a big rig collided with a convoy of law enforcement vehicles being delivered to the Antelope Valley State Prison.
The traffic collision happened shortly after 8:50 p.m. on Highway 138 near Gorman when a convoy of five Specialized Ford SUVs – called Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles – collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 138 just near 300 Street West.
“Preliminary investigative efforts indicate five on-duty California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officers were driving five Ford PIUVs in tandem on the eastbound SR-138, approaching 300 Street West,” California Highway Patrol Officer Josh Greengard told The Signal Friday.
At the same time, a commercial vehicle described as a truck tractor and semi-flatbed trailer was traveling westbound on the highway, approaching the five PIUVs.
“The driver of the commercial vehicle allowed his vehicle to drift to the left into the eastbound lane as it approached the first PIUV in the group,” Greengard said.
“The first PIUV swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid the commercial vehicle; however, the left side of the commercial vehicle clipped the left rear of the PIUV,” he said.
The commercial vehicle continued approximately four feet into the eastbound lane.
“The second Officer in the PIUV attempted to swerve to the right, but was also unable to avoid the commercial vehicle,” Greengard said.
“The second PIUV and commercial vehicle collided – sideswiped – causing total left side damage to the PIUV and damage to the left front of the truck tractor.
“As a result, the solo occupant of the second PIUV was transported by helicopter to Antelope Valley Hospital, Greengard said.
“The Officer was conscious at the scene and the only known injuries are soft tissue damage at this point,” he said.
The debris from the second collision struck the third PIUV in the group of PIUVs, causing damage to the third PIUV.
There were no injuries reported by the corrections officers driving the first and third PIUV.
The roadway was closed at 21:31 to facilitate to the landing of the helicopter.
“Copter 19 transported one patient to the Antelope Valley Hospital,” Inspector Joey Marron of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
Paramedics received the call at 8:54 p.m. and arrived at the scene within five minutes, he said.
“This call was for a semi versus CDCR vehicles, with one officer injured,” he said.
The injured corrections officer is reported to recovering at home Friday.
“The officer was treated and released from the hospital last night and is recovering at home,” Bill Sessa, spokesman for the Corrections Department said.
“The vehicles were new and being delivered to the prison to replace some older vehicles that were retired,” he said.
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