By Greg Welter
The Chico Enterprise-Record
GRIDLEY, Calif. — A veteran Gridley-Biggs police officer and two teenagers received minor injuries when their vehicles collided on West Liberty Road at Richins Road at 11:21 p.m. Tuesday.
Officer Jim Roberts was searching for a reported drunk driver in the area when his patrol car, a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, collided with a 2000 Honda Civic being driven by a 17-year-old boy, with a 19-year-old male passenger in the front seat, according to a police department news release.
The California Highway Patrol said the Honda driver misjudged the speed of the patrol car, which was traveling on West Liberty Road at about 55 mph, and made a U-turn into its path.
The front of Roberts’ vehicle struck the Honda broadside.
All three victims were transported to Gridley-Biggs Hospital, where they were treated and released. The CHP said all three people were using seat belts. The driver of the Honda has a provisional license, which prohibits him from driving after 11 p.m. or with a passenger under 20, but CHP officials didn’t know Wednesday if he would be cited.
Both vehicles are considered a total loss, the press release states.
Assistant Police Chief Brian Cook said Roberts was driving the department’s oldest patrol car while his was being repaired. Cook said the wrecked vehicle was about to be retired from service. Roberts is on medical leave for at least a few days, and recovering at home, Cook said.
Copyright 2007 Chico Enterprise-Record