Southbound traffic was diverted off Interstate 5 in the Santa Clarita Valley for about seven hours on Sunday morning after a crash that severely injured a California Highway Patrol officer between Interstate 210 and Interstate 5.
At 3:26 a.m., CHP officers received a call about a disabled vehicle on the southbound Interstate 5, north of Interstate 210. The officers arrived on the scene at approximately 3:32 a.m. While they were attempting to move the disabled vehicle out of the way, a 2023 Tesla struck the officer standing outside his patrol car, according to a CHP Southern Division news release.
The Tesla driver stopped on the right shoulder and is cooperating with the investigation, according to the CHP. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in this crash.
The CHP officer suffered major injuries and was transported to the nearest trauma center, according to the news release. As of Monday afternoon, the CHP officer is listed in critical condition but stabilizing, according to Officer Diaz, spokeswoman for the CHP Southern Division.
All southbound lanes of the I-5 closed due to the crash, and southbound traffic was being diverted off the freeway at the Calgrove Boulevard exit, according to sigalert.com. The site said motorists were being rerouted to The Old Road, to Sepulveda Boulevard and then to Roxford.
The news release stated a Sigalert was issued for the scene at 3:40 a.m. The alert remained in effect until 10:30 a.m., according to Officer Kravig, a spokeswoman for the CHP traffic management.
The crash is being investigated by the CHP Southern Division Multidisciplinary Accident investigators. Anyone with information regarding the crash can contact CHP, Southern Division MAIT, 323-644-9550.
